That Devil, Bateese (1918) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A troubled lumberjack changes his life for love, survives despair, and is reunited with the woman he loves after her former lover's betrayal is revealed.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Arrival in the North Woods

The schoolteacher leaves Montreal for Montrouge to begin teaching and escape an unhappy love affair. Her journey immediately becomes dangerous after she is attacked in the woods.

Key Events

• Montreal Departure — The schoolteacher leaves Montreal for Montrouge to teach and escape an unhappy love affair. Location: Montreal
• Arrival at Montrouge — The schoolteacher arrives at the village in the North Woods. Location: Montrouge train station
• Walk into the Woods — After leaving the station, the schoolteacher travels through the surrounding woods. Location: Woods near Montrouge
• Courteau's Assault — Louis Courteau attacks the schoolteacher and attempts unwanted embraces. Characters: Louis Courteau Location: Woods near Montrouge
• Bateese Intervenes — Bateese arrives and saves the schoolteacher from Louis Courteau's unwanted advance. Characters: Bateese Latour, Louis Courteau Location: Woods near Montrouge

The Lumberjack's Vow

Bateese saves the schoolteacher from Louis Courteau and falls deeply in love with her. He renounces drinking in hopes that she will marry him.

Key Events

• Bateese Intervenes — Bateese arrives and saves the schoolteacher from Louis Courteau's unwanted advance. Characters: Bateese Latour, Louis Courteau Location: Woods near Montrouge
• The Devil's Reputation — The town knows Bateese as a violent man when he drinks, calling him That devil, Bateese. Characters: Bateese Latour Location: Montrouge
• Bateese Falls in Love — Bateese develops an intense love for the schoolteacher after rescuing her. Characters: Bateese Latour Location: Montrouge
• A Vow to Abstain — Bateese swears off drinking because he wants the schoolteacher to marry him. Characters: Bateese Latour Location: Montrouge
• A New Hope — Bateese attempts to change his behavior while hoping to build a future with the schoolteacher. Characters: Bateese Latour Location: Montrouge

A Former Lover Returns

Martin Stuart arrives in Montrouge looking for the schoolteacher. His return makes Bateese fear that her former feelings remain stronger than his own prospects.

Key Events

• A New Hope — Bateese attempts to change his behavior while hoping to build a future with the schoolteacher. Characters: Bateese Latour Location: Montrouge
• Martin Returns — Martin Stuart arrives in town looking for the schoolteacher. Characters: Martin Stuart Location: Montrouge
• Former Love Revealed — Martin's arrival confirms his connection to the schoolteacher as her former lover. Characters: Bateese Latour, Martin Stuart Location: Montrouge
• Bateese's Jealous Despair — Bateese believes the schoolteacher still has strong feelings for Martin. Characters: Bateese Latour, Martin Stuart Location: Montrouge
• The Canoe's Dangerous Course — In despair, Bateese intentionally steers his canoe toward a waterfall. Characters: Bateese Latour Location: River near Montrouge

Descent over the Waterfall

Consumed by despair, Bateese deliberately guides his canoe toward a waterfall. He survives the fall but is left injured.

Key Events

• The Canoe's Dangerous Course — In despair, Bateese intentionally steers his canoe toward a waterfall. Characters: Bateese Latour Location: River near Montrouge
• The Waterfall Fall — Bateese goes over the waterfall in an attempted suicide. Characters: Bateese Latour Location: Waterfall near Montrouge
• A Wedding Dress Memory — Louis's sister recognizes Martin as the groom who left her waiting at the altar. Characters: Louis Courteau, Martin Stuart Location: Montrouge
• Martin's Ruined Promise — The abandoned bride still wears the wedding dress from the day Martin failed to marry her. Characters: Louis Courteau, Martin Stuart Location: Montrouge
• The Truth Reaches Her — The schoolteacher learns how Martin ruined the abandoned bride's life. Location: Montrouge

The Truth and Return

Louis Courteau's sister exposes Martin's history of abandoning her at the altar. The schoolteacher turns back to Bateese, helps him home, and shares his renewed love.

Key Events

• The Truth Reaches Her — The schoolteacher learns how Martin ruined the abandoned bride's life. Location: Montrouge
• Return to Bateese — After learning Martin's history, the schoolteacher returns to Bateese. Characters: Bateese Latour Location: Montrouge
• The Injured Survivor — Bateese survives the waterfall fall, though he is injured and recovering. Characters: Bateese Latour Location: Bateese's home
• Love Restored — The schoolteacher helps Bateese return home, and they end the story fervently in love. Characters: Bateese Latour Location: Bateese's home

Story Breakdown

• Northern Arrival — The schoolteacher reaches Montrouge seeking a fresh start in the North Woods.
  • Leaving Montreal — She leaves Montreal to teach and forget an unfortunate love affair.
  • Train Station — She arrives at Montrouge before entering the surrounding woods.
• Woods Attack — The new arrival faces immediate danger before Bateese intervenes.
  • Courteau's Advance — Louis Courteau attacks her in the woods and attempts unwanted embraces.
  • Bateese Rescues Her — Bateese stops Louis and saves her from the assault.
• Bateese's Reform — Bateese's love motivates him to resist the behavior behind his local reputation.
  • The Devil's Reputation — The town associates Bateese with violence when he drinks.
  • Abstinence Vow — He swears off drinking to persuade the schoolteacher to marry him.
• Romantic Rivalry — Martin's return revives the central conflict between past love and new devotion.
  • Martin Returns — Martin arrives in Montrouge looking for the schoolteacher.
  • Bateese Despairs — Bateese believes she still has strong feelings for Martin.
• Waterfall Crisis — Bateese turns his romantic despair into a life-threatening act.
  • Canoe's Descent — He intentionally steers his canoe toward a waterfall.
  • Injured Survivor — He survives the fall but remains injured and recovering.
• Truth and Reconciliation — Martin's past is exposed, allowing the schoolteacher to return to Bateese.
  • Abandoned Bride — Louis's sister identifies Martin as the groom who left her at the altar.
  • Love Restored — The schoolteacher helps Bateese home, and they end fervently in love.

Directed by

William Wolbert

Key Cast

• Monroe Salisbury — Bateese Latour
• Adda Gleason — Kathleen St.John (as Ada Gleason)
• Lamar Johnstone — Martin Stuart
• Lon Chaney — Louis Courteau
• Andrew Robson — Father Pierre