Summary
The narrative of "The Lone Round-Up" unfurls within the rugged yet burgeoning landscape of a Western settlement, where the town's preeminent citizen, a bank president of considerable standing, hosts a lavish soirée. This celebratory occasion marks the distinguished return of his daughter, a luminous debutante recently cultivated in the sophisticated finishing schools of the distant metropolis. Into this seemingly idyllic tableau steps the bank's freshly appointed treasurer, a figure whose polished exterior thinly veils an insidious avarice, as he assiduously, if disingenuously, courts the unsuspecting heiress. Standing in stark contrast is Daugherty, the venerable chief of the local cattlemen, whose long-standing, unblemished friendship with the young woman represents a genuine, unpretentious bond, a pillar of the community's authentic spirit. The plot thickens dramatically as the duplicitous treasurer, orchestrating a meticulously planned bank heist, artfully manipulates the daughter into accompanying him to the institution, thereby inadvertently facilitating the entry of his confederate bandits. Daugherty, whose keen instincts for justice have led him to shadow the treacherous pair, intervenes, only to be brutally incapacitated in a moment of shocking violence. With Daugherty rendered unconscious, the cunning treasurer deftly diverts suspicion, framing the honorable cattleman for the very crime he orchestrated. Imprisoned under false pretenses, Daugherty stages a daring escape, driven by an unwavering resolve to clear his sullied name and protect the woman he cherishes. He embarks on a relentless pursuit, discovering, to his admiration, that the daughter, displaying remarkable courage and independent spirit, has herself ventured into the wilderness, tracking the fleeing brigands. The climax sees Daugherty not only orchestrating a spectacular rescue of the imperiled debutante from the clutches of the outlaws but also orchestrating the comprehensive capture of the entire criminal contingent, recovering the entirety of the pilfered assets, and ultimately restoring order and integrity to the embattled Western frontier.
Synopsis
The scene is laid in a western town and opens with its leading citizen and bank president giving a dance to his debutante daughter, recently returned from finishing school in the big metropolis. A newcomer to the village is treasurer of the bank, and is making a play for the girl. Daugherty, as chief of the cattlemen, has always been her closest friend. The treasurer, who is engineering a bank robbery, takes her to the bank and opens the way for a band of thieves. Daugherty, who has trailed them, is knocked out. The treasurer turns suspicions in his direction. He escapes from the jail and follows the girl who has been captured by the bandits in her efforts to trail them. Daugherty rescues the girl and captures all of the bandits and their loot.
Review Excerpt
"
In the annals of early cinematic storytelling, particularly within the nascent yet ever-captivating genre of the Western, certain narratives emerge with an enduring simplicity and a profound resonance. Arthur Henry Gooden's 'The Lone Round-Up' stands as a testament to this foundational era, a film that, despite its vintage, still manages to articulate a timeless saga of virtue, villainy, and vigilant justice. It’s a compelling glimpse into a world where moral lines were drawn with ..."
