Ranson's Folly (1915 film)

Ranson's Folly is a silent film adaptation of Richard Harding Davis's short story of the same name, published in his collection Ranson's Folly (1902). The film was released in 1915 and directed by Richard Ridgely.

The plot generally follows the short story, focusing on Lieutenant Ranson, a young and somewhat naive army officer stationed at a remote outpost in the American West. Ranson becomes enamored with Mary, a local woman, much to the disapproval of some of the other soldiers and townsfolk. Ranson's past and his alleged history of gambling debts and dishonorable conduct create conflict and suspicion. The narrative explores themes of honor, redemption, and the power of perception.

While considered lost for many years, fragments of the film have surfaced. Determining the completeness and quality of these fragments remains an ongoing process. The film's cast is not entirely definitively known, although early filmographies suggest actors who may have played key roles. Like other silent films of the era, intertitles provided dialogue and narrative context to convey the story to the audience.