The last installment of the mortgage was due on James Crosby's place and he had not the funds to meet it. Crosby's daughter, Sallie, sacrificed all she had and still a $10 deficit remained. Then Ed Wilbur, ranch hand, came forth with his last penny and added to the little pile, making just enough to clear the mortgage. Sallie felt warmly toward him, but, a day later, looking into the yard, she saw Johnston, a burly mountain renegade, knock Ed down and when he rose Johnston knocked him down again. Johnston, sneering from the yard, called back to her, pointing derisively at the prostrate Ed. Later the mountain renegade stole the mortgage funds. The family saw him do it and were powerless. Ed coming up, saw, and Johnston, with a laugh, felled him, mounted his horse and was off. Then rose the latent spirit in Ed. Leaping to his own horse, he gave pursuit. He reached the fast traveling thief, closed with him and the joy came at last to Ed. Furiously they struggled and the thief was hauled bodily from his saddle, the money taken from him and the former coward, now hero, rode back in triumph to his sweetheart. - Moving Picture World, January 25, 1913
The Library of Congress holds a print of this film. Vitagraph released a comedy drama film of the same title on July 4, 1911 and Domino also released a two-part drama film of the same title on June 4, 1914.
The American Film Manufacturing Company’s The Latent Spark exists as an example of one of the company’s many “3 Western’s a Week.” This one-reel western romance not only contributes to American’s western filmography but also tells us a bit about the western units that operated in Santa Barbara. A great selling point of this film is the cast which stars in it. The ensemble of Lillian Christy, Edward Coxen, and George Field appeared in many films together. This quota of three westerns a week coincides with the manufacturing approach American had to its films at the time. With westerns being a sought-after genre among worldwide audiences, it follows that American would focus on producing such high quantities of the material. The Latent Spark offers a solid story and romance with a western touch. The horse chase scene depicts a wild west that viewers would likely have anticipated in the westerns of the time. Reviews of the film rave about the scene and the triumphant finale it gives to the film. Beyond the heroic underdog story and the romance this film offers, it also provides a glimpse of a beautiful western backdrop, Santa Barbara. - Quinn Sheridan - FAMSTW 151FA, 27 July 2022