# Tess of the Storm Country (1914 film)

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Tess of the Storm Country is a 1914 silent drama directed by Edwin S. Porter. It is based on the 1909 novel of the same name by Grace Miller White. It stars Mary Pickford, in a role she would reprise eight years later for the 1922 adaptation by John S. Robertson.
Cast and Crew :
| Cast ||
| Role | Actor |
| | Mary Pickford |
| | Harold Lockwood |
| | Eugene Walter |
| | David Hartford |
| | Eugene Walter |
| | Olive Carey |
| | Richard Garrick |
| Crew ||
| Production company | Famous Players Film Company |
| Distributor | Famous Players Film Company |
| Director | Edwin Stanton Porter (d. 1941) |
| Producer | Adolph Zukor (d. 1976) |
| Screenwriter | B. P. Schulberg (d. 1957) |
| Cinematographer | Edwin Stanton Porter |
| Costume designer | Charlotte Turner Smith |
| Based on available information, the latest crew member that is relevant to international copyright laws died in 1976, meaning that this film may be in the public domain in countries and jurisdictions with 47 years p.m.a. or less, as well as in the United States. ||
FPF
Daniel Frohman
Presents America's Foremost Film Actress
Mary Pickford
in the famous tale of a woman's heroism,
"Tess of the Storm Country"
by Grace Miller White.
PRODUCED BY THE
FAMOUS PLAYERS FILM CO.
ADOLPH ZUKOR
PRES.
Under the Personal Direction of Edwin S. Porter.
Miss Mary Pickford as Tessibel Skinner.
Deacon Graves' seashore home.
The squatter village as seen from Deacon Graves' home.
Graves instructs his attorney to dispossess the squatters.
"I know we aint married, Ben, but yer aint never kissed our baby since he cum."
The Squatter Lawyer informs them that according to the squatter law they cannot be evicted.
Frederick, the Deacon's son, a Theological student, home for his vacation.
DEFORREST YOUNG
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW
ITHACA N. Y.
Silas Jones Esq. Counsellor at Law, Ithaca, N. Y. Dear Sir:- I find that under the local law, the squatters cannot be evicted from their dwellings. You will kindly acquaint your clients with the fact that personal animosity toward the squatters does not constitute legal authority for their eviction, and I shall work to every lawful measure to prevent this unjust act.
Yours very truly, [...]
Failing in his attempt to evict the squatters, the Deacon succeeds in having a law passed prohibiting net fishing.
The gamekeepers put the new law into effect.
Deprived of their means of livelihood, Tess advises the squatters to poach.
Going poaching.
"Tess, do ye know ye'd be a dum pretty gal if ye'd keep clean!"
"Ye dirty brat!"
This is all Tess knew of the hymn.
"If ye lives in the sky, Jesus, that cares for the dyin', take Daddy Skinner and Tessibel---- and Frederick!"
DEFORREST YOUNG
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW
ITHACA N. Y.
June 1st
DeForrest Young.
"Air the Bible sayin' anything about Daddy Skinner comin' home to his Tess?"
Dan Jordan, Frederick's classmate, arrives for a visit.
Confident of her father's acquittal, Tess cleans up the shanty.
The Court adjourns until the following day.
The Judge charges the jury.
"You are to hang by the neck until you are--dead!"
Sweet as a spring bird carrolling its love song, rose Tessibel's beautiful voice:-
"The Jedge didn't know that Goddy promised that ye was to come home with Tessibel."
"I air Daddy's brat. He air to go with me, aint he, kind, good man?"
"I cribbed it from the mission."
"He wasn't worth a-hurtin' any more."
A few days later.
Fred and Dan's vacation at an end.
Teola loses the last opportunity to tell Dan of her terrible secret.
A few months have passed.
Dear Dan: I have a wonderful, but terrible secret to tell you. I am so unhappy, Dan, so different from what I need to be. -When life was sweet, and I was glad to live - If I had only been a good girl-- I am so afraid.
Dead Sister- I have sad news for you. There was a terrible fire at our fraternity house last night, and Dan Jordan died a hero, nobly sacrificing his life for one of our chums. Although father and mother are in Europe, I cannot return home until I have dimmed the memory of Dan's tragic death. I leave on a hunting trip today, and will write you soon.
Your brother,
Frederick.
Dear Rebecca: I have sprained my ankle and cannot walk at present. Will remain in Tess Skinner's hut for a few days. Don't worry-
Teola
The next morning.
A few days later--Tess assures Teola she will care for the baby.
Tess takes an oath she will not divulge Teola's secret.
Tess has a close call.
Tess has two unwelcome visitors.
Returning from the hunt, Frederick cannot resist calling on Tess.
"Frederick, don't blame her too much. She's only a girl."
"Air it any of yer business if I wants to have a brat?"
Then the winter came and Tess made a gallant fight to keep the baby from starving.
"I has been beaten--now air I to have the milk?"
Ezra tells the lawyer who killed the gamekeeper.
"The brat air dyin' and the Bible says as how it has to be sprinkled before he can go to Heaven."
"I has brought ye a dyin' brat. Dominie, what has got to be sprinkled."
"Be ye agoin' to let him go to a place where God can't find him?"
"He is my baby!"
Dear Child:- My daughter is dead—Frederick will tell you all. Will you come here and forgive all I have done against you and your father? Frederick has told one of his love for you and your sacrifice for Teola. I can only say at present that we thank you.
Yours in grief and gratitude
Elias Graves
"I air Daddy's brat------"
"But I air yer squatter."
THE END.
Passed by the National Board of Censorship.
This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1929.
The longest-living author of this work died in 1941, so this work is in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 82 years or less. This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works.
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