It's hard for me to judge this version of the classic Western tale on its own merits, since I've seen the 1929 version so often and loved it so much. I would say that Kenneth Harlan in the titular role certainly looks the part and handles himself well, as does Florence Vidor as the school marm who wins his heart. Raymond Hatton turns in a fine performance full of pathos as Shorty. He's a good and simple cow hand whose dream is just to accumulate enough of a poke to buy a squeeze box, but he is led to his doom by the evil of others. I think the role of Steve is understated in this version compared to the others and the novel itself. His short time on the screen doesn't give Pat O'Malley much time to develop the character. Russell Simpson gives the role of Trampas a good shot, but Walter Huston owns that role, as far as I am concerned.
Review of The Virginian
