John Ford Silent Films, Part 2: 1919
Roped through Marked Men
The following is a list of John Ford silent films. These film pages are taken from Wikipedia entries (with some minor editing). I will be adding bibliographic material and John Ford film stills from my personal collection to add to these pages. Also, I will be adding bibliographic material and references from noted writers.
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Roped (1919)
Directed by
John Ford
Screenplay by
Eugene B. Lewis
Story by
Eugene B. Lewis
Starring
Harry Carey
Cinematography
John W. Brown
Distributed by
Universal Film Manufacturing Company
Release date
January 13, 1919
Running time
60 minutes
Country
United States
Language
Silent
Roped was a 1919 American Western-comedy film directed by John Ford and featuring Harry Carey. The film is considered to be lost.[1][2] Roped is one of at least 25 films in which director John Ford and actor Harry Carey collaborated on between the years of 1917 and 1921. Ford saw Carry as a mentor and their worked on the story ideas for several of their films together.
During these collaborations, Carey made more per film then Ford. By 1919, the year Roped came out, Ford was making 300 dollars a week, Carey was making 1,250. This differential in pay led to tension between the two.[3]
Plot
Cheyenne Harry is a wealth ranch owner. After his cowboys put an ad in the newspaper trying to find him a wife, Harry marries Aileen Judson-Brown. A year into their marriage, Aileen gives birth to their first child. The new family live with Aileen’s status seeking mother, Mrs. Judson-Brown. Mrs. Judson-Brown tries everything in her power to break up the marriage so her daughter can marry the wealthier Ferdie Van Duzen. Mrs. Judson-Brown steals Harry and Aileen’s baby and tells Harry that Aileen no longer loves him, and their baby has died. Heart broken; Harry moves out west.
Harry receives news from Mrs. Judson-Brown’s butler that his baby is still alive. Harry finds his child and Aileen confesses her true love. The film ends with the reunited family heading West together, leaving Harry’s hateful mother-in-law behind.
Cast
· Harry Carey as Cheyenne Harry
· Neva Gerber as Aileen
· Mollie McConnell as Mrs. Judson-Brown (as Molly McConnell)
· Arthur Shirley as Ferdie Van Duzen
· J. Farrell MacDonald as Butler
References
1. Thompson, Frank (1996). Lost Films: Important Movies That Disappeared. Citadel Press.
2. "Roped". silentera.com.
3. Levy, Bill (1998). John Ford: A Bio-bibliography. Greenwood Press.
The Fighting Brothers (1919)
Directed by
John Ford
Written by
George Hively
George C. Hull
Starring
Pete Morrison
Cinematography
John W. Brown
Release date
March 1, 1919
Running time
20 minutes
Country
United States
Languages
Silent
English intertitles
The Fighting Brothers is a 1919 short Western film directed by John Ford. The film is now considered to be lost.
Cast
· Pete Morrison as Sheriff Pete Larkin
· Hoot Gibson as Lonnie Larkin
· Yvette Mitchell as Conchita
· Jack Woods as Ben Crawly
· Duke R. Lee as Slim
References
1. "Progressive Silent Film List: The Fighting Brothers." Silent Era.
A Fight for Love (1919)
Directed by
John Ford
Produced by
Pat Powers
Screenplay by
Eugene B. Lewis
Story by
Eugene B. Lewis
Starring
Harry Carey
Cinematography
John W. Brown
Ben F. Reynolds
Distributed by
Universal Studios
Release date
March 24, 1919
Running time
60 minutes
Country
United States
Language
Silent (English intertitles)
A Fight for Love was a 1919 American Western film directed by John Ford and featuring Harry Carey. The film is considered to be lost.[1]
Plot
As described in a film magazine, Cheyenne Harry (Carey) has a sheriff and posse on his trail because of his knowledge of a cattle rustling incident and makes a dash for safety across the Canada–US border. When the posse stops at the border, he calmly waves his gun and rolls a cigarette. The sheriff, however, has contacted the Canadian Mounted Police, and they are soon watching Harry. He finds refuge with a band of Indians, but then clashes over an Indian girl (May) with Black Michael (Harris), leader of a gang of whiskey runners. Harry's real love is with Kate (Gerber), daughter of local trader Angus McDougal (Fenton). However, his rival here is also Black Michael. Michael kills an Indian and abducts Kate, but Harry follows and rescues her. Harry beats Michael in a terrific fight, with Michael confessing to his crimes before dying.
Cast
· Harry Carey as Cheyenne Harry
· Joe Harris as Black Michael
· Neva Gerber as Kate McDougal
· Mark Fenton as Angus McDougal
· J. Farrell MacDonald as The Priest (as J. Farrel McDonald)
· Neola May - Indian Girl (as Princess Neola May)
· Chief John Big Tree
· Dark Cloud
· Edith Johnson
· Betty Schade
References
1. "Progressive Silent Film List: A Fight for Love". Silent Era.
2. McElravy, Robert C. (March 15, 1919). "Reviews and Advertising Aids: A Fight for Love". Moving Picture World. New York City: Chalmers Publishing Company. 39 (11): 1526.
By Indian Post (1919)
Directed by
John Ford
Written by
William Wallace Cook
H. Tipton Steck
Starring
Pete Morrison
Release date
May 24, 1919
Running time
20 minutes
Country
United States
Languages
Silent
English intertitles
By Indian Post is a 1919 American short Western silent film directed by John Ford. One of its two reels has survived.
Cast
· Pete Morrison as Jode MacWilliams
· Duke R. Lee as Pa Owens
· Magda Lane as Peg Owens
· Edward Burnsas (credited as Ed Burns)
· Jack Woods as Dutch
· Harley Chambers as Fritz
· Hoot Gibson as Chub
References
1. "Progressive Silent Film List: By Indian Post". Silent Era.
Rustlers (1919)
Directed by
Reginald Barker
Produced by
John Ford
Screenplay by
George Hively
Starring
Pete Morrison
Helen Gibson
Hoot Gibson
Jack Woods
Cinematography
John W. Brown
Production company
Universal Film Manufacturing Company
Release date
April 26, 1919
Running time
2 reels, 20 minutes
Country
United States
Language
Silent
Rustlers or The Rustlers is a 1919 American short Western film produced by John Ford and directed by Reginald Barker under the working title of Even Money.[4] The film was shot between February 28 and March 8, 1919 for April release that same year. Ford himself chose to bring Pete Morrison into this project (and others), and during the time of the film's shooting, he and Baker co-chaired a committee created by William Beaudine, then-president of The Motion Pictures Director's Association.[7]
Ben Clayburn (Pete Morrison) uses the guise of a sheep rancher when sent to the town of Point Rock to track down the leader of a band of rustlers. He is accused himself of being one if the rustlers and Postmistress Nell Wyndham (Helen Gibson) saves him from an angry lynch mob. The two team up, and using her knowledge of the locals track down and capture the real outlaws.
Cast
· Pete Morrison as Ben Clayburn
· Helen Gibson as Postmistress Nell Wyndham
· Hoot Gibson as The Deputy
· Jack Woods as Sheriff Buck Farley
References
1. Langman, Larry (1992). A Guide to Silent Westerns. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 386. .
2. Catalog of Copyright Entries. Part 1. [B] Group 2. Pamphlets, Etc. New Series. Library of Congress. Copyright Office. 1919. p. 360.
3. National Board of Review of Motion Pictures (1978). Films in Review, Volume 29. National Board of Review of Motion Pictures. pp. 122, 473, 480.
4. Levy, Bill (1998). John Ford: A Bio-bibliography - Issue 78 of Bio-bibliographies in the performing arts. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 9, 43, 75.
5. Peter Bogdanovich (1978). John Ford - Movie paperbacks; Cal 369 Volume 369 of Movie paperbacks. University of California Press. p. 118.
6. "Progressive Silent Film List: Rustlers". Silent Era.
7. Marshall, Wendy L. (January 1, 2005). William Beaudine: From Silents to Television. Scarecrow Press. p. 82.
Bare Fists (1919)
Directed by
John Ford
Produced by
Pat Powers
Written by
Eugene B. Lewis
Bernard McConville
Starring
Harry Carey
Cinematography
John W. Brown
Distributed by
Universal Pictures
Release date
May 5, 1919
Running time
60 minutes
Country
United States
Language
Silent (English intertitles)
Bare Fists (also known as The Man Who Wouldn’t Shoot) is a 1919 American Western film directed by John Ford and featuring Harry Carey. It is considered to be a lost film.
John Ford and actor Harry Carey collaborated on at least 25 films in the years of 1917-1921. During these collaborations, Carey made more per film than Ford. By 1919 Ford was making 300 dollars a week, Carey was making 1,250. This differential in pay led to tension between the two.
Plot
The film takes place in a lawless town in southwestern Kansas during the era of outlaws and cowboys. After the marshal is killed while breaking up a saloon fight, his son, Cheyenne Harry avenges his father’s death by killing two of the men involved. His mother pleads with him to never carry a gun again and Cheyenne Harry agrees.
Harry is wooing the beautiful Conchita. Conchita is also being wooed by the devious Boone Travis. In order to eliminate his rival, Travis murders a man and frames Harry. Harry is sentenced to die, but is allowed one last visit to see his mother. During this trip he is told that his brother Bud was attacked and branded by cattle thieves. Harry escapes custody and punishes the men who attacked his brother. He is also cleared of the charge of murder.
Cast
· Harry Carey as Cheyenne Harry
· Betty Schade as Conchita
· Joe Harris as Boone Travis
· Vester Pegg as Lopez
· Mollie McConnell as Conchita's Mother (as Molly McConnell)
· Anna Mae Walthall as Ruby (as Anna May Walthall)
· Howard Enstedt as Bud
· Joseph W. Girard as Harry's Father (as Joseph Girard)
References
1. Bare Fists (1919) - Overview - TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies.
2. "Progressive Silent Film List: Bare Fists". silentera.com.
3. Levy, Bill (1998). John Ford: A Bio-bibliography. Greenwood Press.
Gun Law (1919)
Directed by
John Ford
Written by
H. Tipton Steck
Starring
Pete Morrison
Distributed by
Universal Film Manufacturing Company
Release date
May 10, 1919
Running time
20 minutes
Country
United States
Languages
Silent
English intertitles
Gun Law is a 1919 American short Western film directed by John Ford.
Cast
· Pete Morrison as Dick Allen
· Helen Gibson as Letty
· Hoot Gibson as Bart Stevens, a.k.a. Smoke Gublen
· Jack Woods as Cayuse Yates
· Otto Myers as Gang Member
· Harry Chambers as Gang Member
· Ed Jones as Gang Member
References
1. "Progressive Silent Film List: Gun Law". Silent Era.
The Gun Packer (1919)
Directed by
John Ford
Written by
Harry Carey
Karl R. Coolidge
John Ford
Starring
Ed Jones
Pete Morrison
Cinematography
John W. Brown
Release date
May 24, 1919
Running time
20 minutes
Country
United States
Language
Silent (English intertitles)
The Gun Packer is a 1919 American short Western film directed by John Ford.
Production
Filming began on March 25, 1919 under the working title Out Wyoming Way. Just two months later, The Gun Packer was released by Universal Studios as a 20-minute silent film on two reels. This film was reissued in August 1924.
Plot
A reformed outlaw enlists the aid of his former gunslinging companions to defend a small shepherd community from domineering cattle barons.
Cast
· Ed Jones as Sandy McLoughlin
· Pete Morrison as "Pearl Handle" Wiley
· Magda Lane as Rose McLoughlin
· Jack Woods as Pecos Smith
· Hoot Gibson as Gang Leader
· Jack Walters as Brown
· Duke R. Lee as Buck Landers
· Howard Enstaedt as Bobby McLoughlin
References
1. "Progressive Silent Film List: The Gun Packer". silentera.com..
2. Gallagher, Tag (1986); John Ford: The Man and His Films; University of California Press, USA. See p.508.
Riders of Vengeance (1919)
Directed by
John Ford
Produced by
Pat Powers
Written by
Harry Carey
John Ford
Eugene B. Lewis
Starring
Harry Carey
Cinematography
John W. Brown
Distributed by
Universal Pictures
Release date
June 9, 1919
Running time
60 minutes
Country
United States
Language
Silent (English intertitles)
Riders of Vengeance is a 1919 American Western film directed by John Ford and featuring Harry Carey. The film is considered to be lost.[1]
Production
Riders of Vengeance was released as a Universal Special feature in June 1919, a 60-minute silent film on six reels. It was part of the long-running "Cheyenne Harry" series of film featurettes. The story was an uncommon collaboration between the star Harry Carey and the director John Ford (with help from scenarist Eugene Lewis). Though it has an unusually high level of violence ("lots of killings", as Moving Picture World noted), critical reviews of the time lavishly praised both the story and film.[2]
Plot
Harry's bride is murdered at their wedding along with Harry's mother and father, and the good-hearted outlaw turns grimly malevolent. He leaves town, only to return one year later. One by one he stalks his wife's killers, dispatching them all until he finally sets his sights, mistakenly, on Sheriff Gale Thurman. The lawman bests Harry and keeps him hiding outside town in the wilderness. Straying into the same wilderness, the Sheriff's girlfriend is first overtaken by highwaymen, then rescued by Harry, only to be taken captive by Harry when he realizes who she is. At first threatening to harm the girl, Harry slowly falls in love with her, all while hostile Apaches attempt to kill them both. By the time the Sheriff tracks them down, a full-scale assault is under way, and the two men join forces. Harry realizes the Sheriff's innocence, but it is too late: the lawman is dead from his battle wounds, but he has saved his girlfriend - and Harry.
Cast
· Harry Carey as Cheyenne Harry
· Seena Owen as The Girl
· Joe Harris as Gale Thurman (as Joseph Harris)
· J. Farrell MacDonald as Buell
· Alfred Allen as Harry's Father
· Jennie Lee as Harry's Mother
· Clita Gale as Virginia
· Vester Pegg
· Betty Schade
· Millard K. Wilson as (as M.K. Wilson)
References
1. "Progressive Silent Film List: Riders of Vengeance". Silent Era.
2. Gallagher, Tad (1986); John Ford: The Man and His Films; University of California Press, USA. See p.508.
The Last Outlaw (1919)
Directed by
John Ford
Written by
Evelyn Campbell
John Ford
H. Tipton Steck
Starring
Edgar Jones
Distributed by
Universal Film Manufacturing Company
Release date
June 15, 1919
Country
United States
Languages
Silent
English intertitles
The Last Outlaw is a 1919 American short Western film directed by John Ford. Only the first reel of the film survives, in the British Film Institute film archive and in the Museum of Modern Art film archive.
Cast
· Edgar Jones
· Lucille Hutton
· Richard Cummings
· Jack Walters
References
1. "Progressive Silent Film List: The Last Outlaw". Silent Era.
2. Matheson, Sue (December 15, 2019). The John Ford Encyclopedia. Rowman & Littlefield.
The Outcasts of Poker Flat (1919)
Directed by
John Ford
Produced by
Pat Powers
Written by
Bret Harte (story)
H. Tipton Steck
Starring
Harry Carey
Cinematography
John W. Brown
Distributed by
Universal Film Manufacturing Company
Release date
June 29, 1919
Running time
60 minutes
Country
United States
Language
Silent (English intertitles)
The Outcasts of Poker Flat was a 1919 American western film directed by John Ford and featuring Harry Carey. The film is considered to be lost. The screenplay is based upon the 1869 story of the same name by Bret Harte. Harte's story has been filmed at least five times, including in 1937 and in 1952 .
Plot
As described in a film magazine,[2] Square Shootin' Harry Lanyon (Carey), proprietor of a gambling hall in Arizona, is in love with his ward Ruth Watson (Hope). However, he believes that she is in love with his pal Billy Lanyon (Landis), and intends to let the youth have the girl. While in this uncertain mind about his own love affair, Harry begins to read Bret Harte's story "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" and begins to liken himself to John Oakhurst in the story. Oakhurst (Carey) befriends a girl named Sophy (Hope) on a riverboat. The girl is being deserted by a gambler named Ned Stratton (Harris), who had promised to marry her, and Oakhurst saves her from self-destruction. Oakhurst brings Sophy to the questionable neighborhood of Poker Flat, and encourages her to marry some youth who loves her, although Oakhurst also cares for her. Stratton reappears and Oakhurst makes it his business to rid the camp of him. Later, the Vigilantes swoop down upon Poker Flat and, in a reform movement, send Oakhurst, Mother Shipton, the Duchess, and others into the hills. Sophy and her young husband follow. They are all caught in a violent storm from which only the latter two emerge alive. Harry Lanyon is impressed with the Bret Harte story, and vows that he will not repeat the mistake of Oakhurst and in sacrificing his love for another. Harry then discovers that Ruth loves him and not Billy after all.
Cast
· Harry Carey as Square Shootin' Harry Lanyon / John Oakhurst
· Cullen Landis as Billy Lanyon / Tommy Oakhurst
· Gloria Hope as Ruth Watson / Sophy, the girl
· Joseph Harris as Ned Stratton
· Virginia Chester
· Duke R. Lee
· Louise Lester
· J. Farrell MacDonald
· Charles H. Mailes
· Vester Pegg
· Vic Potel
References
1. "Progressive Silent Film List: The Outcasts of Poker Flat". Silent Era.
2. Wietzel, Edward (June 28, 1919). "Reviews and Advertising Aids: The Outcasts of Poker Flat: Harry Carey Featured in Six Reel Universal Adaptation of Bret Harte Story". Moving Picture World. New York City: Chalmers Publishing Company. 40 (13): 2007, 2009.
Ace of the Saddle (1919)
Directed by
John Ford
Produced by
Pat Powers
Written by
George Hively
Frederick J. Jackson
Starring
Harry Carey
Cinematography
John W. Brown
Distributed by
Universal Film Manufacturing Company
Release date
August 18, 1919
Running time
60 minutes
Country
United States
Language
Silent
Ace of the Saddle is a 1919 American western film directed by John Ford and featuring Harry Carey. The film is considered to be lost.[1]
Plot
As described in a film magazine,[2] Cheyenne Harry Henderson (Carey) owns a cattle ranch on the border of two counties, with Yucca County controlled by outlaws and Pinkerton County law abiding. After the Yucca sheriff (Harris) refuses to help stop the cattle rustling, he goes to Pinkerton Sheriff Faulkner (Lee), who is unable to help him because he lives in Yucca County. Harry meets and becomes romantically involved with Sheriff Faulkner's daughter Madeline (Barry), who is also loved by the Yucca sheriff. Because she hates guns, Harry gives up using them. While Yucca County may be lawless, no man may be shot unless he is armed, so the Yucca sheriff devises a scheme place an unloaded gun in Harry's hands and then have him killed. Harry sees through the ruse and uses the sheriff's gun to kill two men before they can shoot him. Harry then moves his house over the county border onto Pinkerton County, and with the aid of Sheriff Faulkner two rustlers are captured. Before the rustlers can be hanged, the Yucca sheriff frees them and also kidnaps Madeline. Harry then gets his guns and goes to rescue her.
Cast
· Harry Carey as Cheyenne Harry Henderson
· Joe Harris as Sheriff, Yucca County
· Duke R. Lee as Sheriff Faulkner, Pinkerton County
· Viola Barry as Madeline Faulkner (as Peggy Pearce)
· Jack Walters as Inky O'Day
· Vester Pegg as Gambler
· William Courtright as Storekeeper (as William Cartwright)
· Zoe Rae as Child
References
1. "Progressive Silent Film List: Ace of the Saddle". Silent Era.
2. "Special Service Section on Harry Carey in Ace in the Saddle". Motion Picture News. New York: Motion Picture News, Inc. 20 (8): 1459. August 16, 1919.
Rider of the Law (1919)
Directed by
John Ford
Produced by
Pat Powers
Written by
G. B. Lancaster
H. Tipton Steck
Starring
Harry Carey
Cinematography
John W. Brown
Distributed by
Universal Studios
Release date
November 3, 1919
Running time
60 minutes
Country
United States
Language
Silent
Rider of the Law is a 1919 American Western film directed by John Ford and featuring Harry Carey. The film is considered to be lost.[1]
Cast
· Harry Carey as Jim Kyneton
· Vester Pegg as Nick Kyneton (as Vesta Pegg)
· Ted Brooks as The Kid
· Joe Harris as Buck Soutar
· Jack Woods as Jack West
· Duke R. Lee as Captain Saltire (as Duke Lee)
· Gloria Hope as Betty
· Claire Anderson as Roseen
· Jennie Lee as Jim's Mother
References
1. "Progressive Silent Film List: Rider of the Law". Silent Era.
A Gun Fightin' Gentleman (1919)
Directed by
John Ford
Produced by
Pat Powers
Written by
Harry Carey
John Ford
Hal Hoadley
Starring
Harry Carey
Cinematography
John W. Brown
Distributed by
Universal Film Manufacturing Company
Release date
November 29, 1919
Running time
50 minutes
Country
United States
Languages
Silent
English intertitles
A Gun Fightin' Gentleman is a 1919 American Western film directed by John Ford and starring Harry Carey. Because only three reels of originally five or six are known to exist, this film is considered a partially lost film.[1]
Plot
As described in a film magazine,[2] ranch owner Cheyenne Harry (Carey) is the victim of a plot engineered by land speculator John Merritt (Sherry), who uses a doctored title to deprive Harry of his land holdings. Powerless in the face of his opponent's superior knowledge of the law, Harry is forced to retaliate by appropriating Merritt's payroll. Later he abducts Merritt's daughter Helen (O'Connor) and holds her pending settlement of their dispute. A settlement is effected in due time, but not before Harry has won the heart of the young woman.
Cast
· Harry Carey as Cheyenne Harry
· J. Barney Sherry as John Merritt
· Kathleen O'Connor as Helen Merritt
· Harry von Meter as Earl of Jollywell (credited as Harry V. Meter)
· Lydia Yeamans Titus as Helen's Aunt (credited as Lydia Titus)
· Duke R. Lee as Buck Regan
· Joe Harris as Seymour
· John Cook as Old Sheriff (credited as Johnnie Cooke)
· Ted Brooks as The 'Youngster'
References
1. A Gun Fightin' Gentleman at silentera.com
2. "Reviews: A Gun Fightin' Gentleman". Exhibitors Herald. New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company. 9 (26): 69. December 20, 1919.
Marked Men (1919)
Directed by
John Ford
Produced by
Pat Powers
Written by
Peter B. Kyne
H. Tipton Steck
Starring
Harry Carey
Cinematography
John W. Brown
Edited by
Frank Atkinson
Frank Lawrence
Production company
Universal Film Manufacturing Company
Distributed by
Universal Film Manufacturing Company
Release date
December 21, 1919
Running time
50 minutes
Country
United States
Language
Silent (English intertitles)
Marked Men is a 1919 American silent Western film directed by John Ford and starring Harry Carey. Considered to be lost,[1] it is a remake of the 1916 film The Three Godfathers, which also starred Carey.
Cast
· Harry Carey as Cheyenne Harry
· Joe Harris as Tom Gibbons
· Ted Brooks as Tony Garcia
· Charles Le Moyne as Sheriff Pete Cushing
· J. Farrell MacDonald as Tom Placer McGraw
· Winifred Westover as Ruby Merrill
· David Kirby as Warden Bruiser Kelly (uncredited)
References
"Progressive Silent Film List: Marked Men". silentera.com.