A Romance of the Redwoods (1917)

In the heart of the California Gold Rush, 'Black' Brown, a notorious road agent on the lam, encounters a macabre scene. Stumbling upon the lifeless body of John Lawrence, an honest prospector peppered with Indian arrows, Brown seizes the opportunity, assuming Lawrence's identity by donning his clothes and adopting his papers. He successfully weaves himself into the fabric of 1850's Calaveras County society as a respectable citizen, leaving his marred past behind. Meanwhile, a young maiden, bereaved and penniless after her mother's passing, ventures westward. Her last hope lies with her uncle, Lawrence, who resides in California. However, upon reaching his remote cabin, she is met by the ominous presence of the impostor. Intimidated by Brown's threats, she is coerced into silence, her suspicion swallowed by fear. In the harsh, wild, and predominantly male landscape, the girl finds herself vulnerable and defenseless. To ensure her survival, she reluctantly acknowledges the fraudster as her uncle, seeking his protection and the security of his provision. An unexpected bond begins to form between the girl and Brown, their shared secret weaving a thread of understanding that gradually blossoms into affection. Touched by her innocence, Brown pledges to rectify his ways. But the past is not easily outrun, as former members of Brown's gang persist in their criminal pursuits, casting a shadow of suspicion over the rehabilitated imposter. As the local vigilante committee's scrutiny intensifies, Brown finds himself walking a tightrope between his newfound affection and the threat of his past being exposed. The plot thickens as the tension of this compelling narrative unfolds in the wild heart of the Gold Rush era.

A Romance of the Redwoods is a drama movie featuring Mary Pickford.

A Romance of the Redwoods is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Public Domain Movies and Tubi TV and it's also available on MGM Plus Amazon Channel, Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel and fuboTV.