The Little Man Who Was There story
Newcomers Jamie and Ben McMahon have civilized the unruly community of Copperpocket and gained everyone's respect. One night a mysterious man shows seemingly demonic powers to defeat the brothers, and takes everyone's money. However, it was a con, performed by the man and the brothers together. Directed by: George Stevens, Jr. Story by: Gordon Russell & Larry Ward.
11 total · 1 choice · 4 major · 6 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| con artistry | choice | The story follows a trio of swindlers who hoodwinked the credulous residents of an Old West mining town into thinking one of them is the Devil incarnate as part of an elaborate ruse to make off with everyone's money. |
| brother and brother | major | The two brothers Jamie and Ben McMahon preached a message of brotherly love to the gullible residents of an Old West mining town as part of an elaborate ruse to make off with all their money. |
| legendary being | major | The miners were tricked into believing that the mysterious visitor to their town was a minion of Satan (or perhaps even the Devil incarnate). |
| life in the American Wild West | major | The story is set in the saloon of an Old West mining town. |
| the Golden Rule | major | The two preacher brothers came to the mining town preaching a message of loving thy neighbor. And Jamie reminded two quarreling saloon patrons about this rule by name. |
| Christianity | minor | The brothers Jamie and Ben spread a message of Christian love among the residents of Copperpocket. The self-styled preacher Ben quoted this phrase from the Book of James: "Blessed is the man who endured temptation". |
| control by intimidation | minor | The bartender spoke about brotherly love, but mystery man said it was intimidation by threat of violence that had pacified the town. |
| cowardice | minor | The mysterious stranger goaded Jamie into a fight by calling Jamie a coward straight to his face. |
| gambling | minor | Jamie won a big payout of coins from the saloon's one-armed bandit. |
| generosity | minor | Two quarreling saloon patrons nearly got into a scrap because each wanted to pay for the other's drink. |