"Hell's Hinges" is one of William S. Hart's better known westerns. He always strived for authenticity in the settings and costumes in his films. The town of Hell's Hinges looks like those depicted in old 19th century photographs and the costumes match the scenario as well.
A newly ordained minister Reverend Bob Henley (Jack Standing), who is less than committed to his job, is assigned to a town in the west, with the hope that he will strengthen his faith among the people there. His young diminutive sister Faith (Clara Williams) decides to accompany him. Arriving in the sin laden town that was re-named Hell's Hinges, the pair are greeted by the "good" citizens of the town.
Town baddie Silk Miller (Alfred Hollingsworth) fears that the new parson might undermine his hold on the evils of the town. In order to rid the town of the parson, Miller brings in gun man Blaze Tracy (Hart) to run him out of town.
Tracy at first, relishes his assignment but relents when he meets the virginal Faith. When the parson attempts to deliver a sermon in a makeshift church, Miller and his cronies try to disrupt the service. Tracy intervenes and drives the intruders away. Over the next few weeks, the congregation builds a new church.
Miller, sensing that the parson is less than committed to his job decides to employ different tactics. He lures the parson to his saloon and offers him a drink and the company of saloon girl Dolly (Louise Glum). Faith becomes worried and asks Blaze to find out what has happened to her brother. They find him in a back room of the saloon drunk and in the arms of Dolly.
Miller rallies his supporters, including the parson, to march on the church and set it ablaze. Blaze in turn becomes enraged and..............................
Hart was in his fifties when this film was made but could still hold the audience's interest with his cold and serious personality. His sudden change from a two gun evil doer to good Samaritan is a little hard to believe, though you are still with him.
In the unbilled cast are John Gilbert in his first film as one of Miller's rowdies. Future "B" western bad guys Robert Kortman and Wheeler Oakman are also cast as rowdies. And yes, that's Jean Hersholt as the bartender.
Although Hart was not as flamboyant as his contemporaries, Tom Mix, Hoot Gibson et al, his westerns were nonetheless entertaining and authentic looking. He would ride into the sunset in 1925 with "Tumbleweeds" at the age of 60.
A newly ordained minister Reverend Bob Henley (Jack Standing), who is less than committed to his job, is assigned to a town in the west, with the hope that he will strengthen his faith among the people there. His young diminutive sister Faith (Clara Williams) decides to accompany him. Arriving in the sin laden town that was re-named Hell's Hinges, the pair are greeted by the "good" citizens of the town.
Town baddie Silk Miller (Alfred Hollingsworth) fears that the new parson might undermine his hold on the evils of the town. In order to rid the town of the parson, Miller brings in gun man Blaze Tracy (Hart) to run him out of town.
Tracy at first, relishes his assignment but relents when he meets the virginal Faith. When the parson attempts to deliver a sermon in a makeshift church, Miller and his cronies try to disrupt the service. Tracy intervenes and drives the intruders away. Over the next few weeks, the congregation builds a new church.
Miller, sensing that the parson is less than committed to his job decides to employ different tactics. He lures the parson to his saloon and offers him a drink and the company of saloon girl Dolly (Louise Glum). Faith becomes worried and asks Blaze to find out what has happened to her brother. They find him in a back room of the saloon drunk and in the arms of Dolly.
Miller rallies his supporters, including the parson, to march on the church and set it ablaze. Blaze in turn becomes enraged and..............................
Hart was in his fifties when this film was made but could still hold the audience's interest with his cold and serious personality. His sudden change from a two gun evil doer to good Samaritan is a little hard to believe, though you are still with him.
In the unbilled cast are John Gilbert in his first film as one of Miller's rowdies. Future "B" western bad guys Robert Kortman and Wheeler Oakman are also cast as rowdies. And yes, that's Jean Hersholt as the bartender.
Although Hart was not as flamboyant as his contemporaries, Tom Mix, Hoot Gibson et al, his westerns were nonetheless entertaining and authentic looking. He would ride into the sunset in 1925 with "Tumbleweeds" at the age of 60.