The Rough Neck

John Masters leaves his lumber mining camp when he is summoned East by his dying father, a political boss who wishes to turn over the position he has won. The father dies and leaves his son papers that could convict the rest of his gang of henchmen. John falls in love with Frances, the daughter of Armitage, another politician. Frances is not interested in John, but marries him to save her father from exposure. The gang tries to get the papers away from John, who has taken his wife back to the woods. When John exposes the crooked politicians, including his own father, he wins Frances' respect and love. John staves off the revengeful ward gangsters with a single gun until Frances rounds up the other lumberjacks who come to his rescue.

Directed by Oscar Apfel, The Rough Neck leans on a strong ensemble — Montagu Love, Robert Broderick, George De Carlton — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 1919.