The Tam o' Shanter - Production & Contact Info (original) (raw)

Tam and his family eke out a bare existence farming. What little they do get ahead is spent by Tam at the village inn. Kate, Tam's wife, tries vainly to cure him of this habit, but without avail. Jean, Tam's daughter, and Jock, the ...See moreTam and his family eke out a bare existence farming. What little they do get ahead is spent by Tam at the village inn. Kate, Tam's wife, tries vainly to cure him of this habit, but without avail. Jean, Tam's daughter, and Jock, the blacksmith, are in love, but Jock's bashfulness and poverty-stricken condition have prevented their getting married. One night while Jock is calling, Tam slips out to the porch and Kate follows him. Tam, knowing his crony, Souter Johnnie, is waiting for him at the inn, finally manages to sneak away. The county fair is held and all the natives attend. Jock and Jean in all their glory take in the fair and Jock presents her with an engagement ring bought from one of the booths. Kate is kept busy keeping up with Tam, but he finally eludes her and returns to the inn. After serving him several drinks the innkeeper refuses to give him more unless he settles up his past account. Tam is in a quandary, and when the landlord offers to cancel all obligations in return for the hand of Jean in marriage. Tam quickly assents. Jean, meanwhile, has offered herself for hire in order to help her father, and the two men arrive just as she is being selected by one of the farmers. Jean is told of the bargain, but refuses to enter into it. Jock comes to her rescue and Tam and the innkeeper leave in disgust. When Tam cannot pay his debts the innkeeper has him thrown into the public stocks. Kate and Jean are very much wrought up by Tam's disgrace, and Jean, in an effort to rescue her father, offers to keep his pledge with the innkeeper, in spite of Jock's protests. Tam is finally released. Jock, spurred on by the fear of losing Jean, formulates a scheme whereby he will get Jean and also cure Tam of his drink-loving habits. He arranges with one of the judges, and, knowing Tam will be sure to slip off to the village inn that night, lays his plans accordingly. True to his custom, Tam slips away and has a big spree at the inn. He and his pal, Souter Johnnie, are finally put out of the inn and start homeward. As they pass an old ruin there is a sudden commotion. The two are surrounded by the devil of the ruin and his imps, and, frightened almost to death, beg for mercy. The devil steps out and tells him he will let him go only on one condition, and that is for Tam to sign a pledge never to drink again and release Jean from the bargain to the innkeeper. He obeys and the two now sober cronies draw sighs of relief. The next day Tam has an attack of the misery and swears never again will he indulge in strong drinks. His pain is eased by Kate's loving ministrations, while outside Jean and Jock renew their troth and Jock comes into his just reward. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less