... and that's unusual since early sound films are usually so experimental and often just plain awful, but with Cooper starring as the Virginian, I thought that version was superlative. But I digress.
Following the 1914 film pretty closely, this one has Kenneth Harlan in the title role, Florence Vidor as the schoolmarm, and Russell Simpson in an unusual (to me) villainous part in Trampas.
A bit slow to start, and with some irritating music (which either improved, or I got used to it), the film gets more interesting when the cattle-rustling plot comes in, and with Harlan's mixed loyalties between his boss and his pals Steve and Shorty, who have come under the influence of the horrid Trampas. As one who is used to Simpson's sympathetic roles in BILLY THE KID, THE GRAPES OF WRATH, THEY WERE EXPENDABLE, MY DARLING CLEMENTINE and WAGONMASTER, his performance is a revelation, and one wonders how many other bad guys he played. At about 80 minutes in length, this version of THE VIRGINIAN is pretty entertaining.
Following the 1914 film pretty closely, this one has Kenneth Harlan in the title role, Florence Vidor as the schoolmarm, and Russell Simpson in an unusual (to me) villainous part in Trampas.
A bit slow to start, and with some irritating music (which either improved, or I got used to it), the film gets more interesting when the cattle-rustling plot comes in, and with Harlan's mixed loyalties between his boss and his pals Steve and Shorty, who have come under the influence of the horrid Trampas. As one who is used to Simpson's sympathetic roles in BILLY THE KID, THE GRAPES OF WRATH, THEY WERE EXPENDABLE, MY DARLING CLEMENTINE and WAGONMASTER, his performance is a revelation, and one wonders how many other bad guys he played. At about 80 minutes in length, this version of THE VIRGINIAN is pretty entertaining.