This is a fairly grim account of immigrant life in the early 1900s. George Beban, who made a living on stage and screen portraying ethnic types (especially Italians), plays a gondolier in "the old country" who needs to prove himself to the father of the woman he wants to marry. So he sails to New York without her, works as a bootblack, and earns enough money to send for her.
Tragedy strikes when their infant son becomes sick from the heat. Beban attempts to buy milk for him, but is robbed. When he spots his muggers, he attacks them and is arrested. In the climax, Beban almost commits an unspeakable crime to get revenge upon the man he feels is responsible for his son's death.
There is some interesting camera work, and a solid performance by the cast. San Francisco doubles as NYC. Some of my reference books claim that Francis Ford Coppola was influenced by this film in making "The Godfather." Indeed, there is one scene where Beban spots the Statue of Liberty as the ship pulls into NYC, which is somewhat reminiscent of a scene in "The Godfather: Part II."
In an interesting twist, Beban appears in the opening scene, relaxing in his home in a smoking jacket, reading a book entitled "The Italian." Then the story begins. At the end, he appears again, having finished the book.
There are only a few title cards in the film, but the story is easy to follow.
Tragedy strikes when their infant son becomes sick from the heat. Beban attempts to buy milk for him, but is robbed. When he spots his muggers, he attacks them and is arrested. In the climax, Beban almost commits an unspeakable crime to get revenge upon the man he feels is responsible for his son's death.
There is some interesting camera work, and a solid performance by the cast. San Francisco doubles as NYC. Some of my reference books claim that Francis Ford Coppola was influenced by this film in making "The Godfather." Indeed, there is one scene where Beban spots the Statue of Liberty as the ship pulls into NYC, which is somewhat reminiscent of a scene in "The Godfather: Part II."
In an interesting twist, Beban appears in the opening scene, relaxing in his home in a smoking jacket, reading a book entitled "The Italian." Then the story begins. At the end, he appears again, having finished the book.
There are only a few title cards in the film, but the story is easy to follow.