In the early 19 teens westerns were far from the "poor relations" they came to be regarded in the late 1920s, 1930s etc, when an "outdoor special" sent a chill through many an "over the hill" star's heart. Back in the early times they were a sure fire way to build popularity and fame and a noted stage actor like Dustin Farnum found himself in the front ranks of the newly emerged star system because of his portrayal in "The Squaw Man" and "The Virginian" - both specials and definitely not B grade oaters. "The Virginian" had had a reasonable run (138 performances) at the Manhattan Theatre, 1908 with Dustin Farnum recreating his stage role in Cecil B. DeMille's stunning 1914 film.
One of the reasons the film flowed so smoothly was the involvement of Owen Wister, who not only wrote the original book, he was also involved in the stage production. Farnum plays "the Virginian", a free spirited cowboy whose natural leadership qualities make him instantly popular when he rides into Bear Creek. He finds an old friend there but Steve has been recruited by Trampas, the town renegade and bully who doesn't have to try very hard to convince him of the merits of being an outlaw. Bear Creek has another new resident - Molly Wood a struggling music teacher who feels the Great West will give her more opportunities but her high hopes are almost dashed when she has to grapple with a drunken stage coach driver who then, to save face, starts to circulate lurid stories about her in the town!!
She is given a town barbecue in her honour and it is there that the Virginian hatches one of his practical jokes - to mix the babies up so the parents will take home the wrong children - hilarious!!! Needless to say the joke doesn't go down too well - especially with Moly who is beginning to regret coming to such an uncouth place. He tells her - "You're going to learn to like the West and love me"!! Suddenly things turn dramatic - the cattle rustlers are rounded up - Steve amongst them, he leaves a farewell note to his pal, "Sorry Pard, if I try to appeal to you, I'll end up being a baby"!! Trampus is not amongst them, he has skipped out like a coward but it is Steve's note that leads the Virginian to the villain and the shoot out in the lone town at sunset.
Winifred Kingston who played Molly eventually married Dustin Farnum.
One of the reasons the film flowed so smoothly was the involvement of Owen Wister, who not only wrote the original book, he was also involved in the stage production. Farnum plays "the Virginian", a free spirited cowboy whose natural leadership qualities make him instantly popular when he rides into Bear Creek. He finds an old friend there but Steve has been recruited by Trampas, the town renegade and bully who doesn't have to try very hard to convince him of the merits of being an outlaw. Bear Creek has another new resident - Molly Wood a struggling music teacher who feels the Great West will give her more opportunities but her high hopes are almost dashed when she has to grapple with a drunken stage coach driver who then, to save face, starts to circulate lurid stories about her in the town!!
She is given a town barbecue in her honour and it is there that the Virginian hatches one of his practical jokes - to mix the babies up so the parents will take home the wrong children - hilarious!!! Needless to say the joke doesn't go down too well - especially with Moly who is beginning to regret coming to such an uncouth place. He tells her - "You're going to learn to like the West and love me"!! Suddenly things turn dramatic - the cattle rustlers are rounded up - Steve amongst them, he leaves a farewell note to his pal, "Sorry Pard, if I try to appeal to you, I'll end up being a baby"!! Trampus is not amongst them, he has skipped out like a coward but it is Steve's note that leads the Virginian to the villain and the shoot out in the lone town at sunset.
Winifred Kingston who played Molly eventually married Dustin Farnum.