On the Level
“"This Little Pig Stayed Home"”
Synopsis
Rustler Pete Sontag kidnaps Merlin Warner after he kills her father. Pete, a drug smuggler who uses his saloon as a front, coerces Merlin though beatings to become the dancer Mexicali Mae. She meets and falls in love with morphine addict Joe Blanchard but Pete frames Joe for a murder that he committed, forcing Mae to hide Joe in a homestead in the hills. After many struggles, Joe is cured of his addiction and proposes to Mae. She accepts, but when his mother and fiancée Eleanor arrive, they offer her money to leave, Mae refuses the money but becomes convinced that she is not good enough for Joe and writes to him that she is returning to the saloon. Joe learning of his mother’s plot arrives at the saloon and in the resultant fight Pete is killed. Mae and Joe are reconciled.
Top Cast
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Release History & Theatrical Window
September 10, 1917
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- George Melford
- Screenplay & Story
- Marion Fairfax, Charles Kenyon
- Original Title
- On the Level
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- No Language
- Runtime
- 50m
- Production Studios
- Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
George Melford
Marion Fairfax, Charles Kenyon
Percy Hilburn
Department Leadership Roster
George Melford
Director
Percy Hilburn
Director of Photography
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for On the Level.
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Frequently Asked Questions About On the Level
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is On the Level about?
Rustler Pete Sontag kidnaps Merlin Warner after he kills her father. Pete, a drug smuggler who uses his saloon as a front, coerces Merlin though beatings to become the dancer Mexicali Mae. She meets and falls in love with morphine addict Joe Blanchard but Pete frames Joe for a murder that he committed, forcing Mae to hide Joe in a homestead in the hills. After many struggles, Joe is cured of his addiction and proposes to Mae. She accepts, but when his mother and fiancée Eleanor arrive, they offer her money to leave, Mae refuses the money but becomes convinced that she is not good enough for Joe and writes to him that she is returning to the saloon. Joe learning of his mother’s plot arrives at the saloon and in the resultant fight Pete is killed. Mae and Joe are reconciled.
Who directed On the Level?
On the Level was directed by George Melford.
Who stars in On the Level?
The principal cast of On the Level includes Fannie Ward, Jack Dean, Harrison Ford, Lottie Pickford, James Cruze.
When was On the Level released and how long is it?
On the Level was released in 1917 with a total runtime of 50m.