Art Acord Double Feature: Fighters of the Saddle (Silent) / Pursued (Silent) – DVD

Arthemus Ward "Art" Acord (1890-1931) was born in Utah to Mormon parents. Finding work as a cowboy and ranch hand, he quickly became a steer wrestling champion. While traveling with a Wild West show, he befriended such cowboy movie stars as Tom Mix, Hoot Gibson, Yakima Canutt, and "Broncho Billy" Anderson. With friends like these, a movie career for Art himself wasn't far behind. After a stint as a stuntman, he became one of the biggest Western names of the silent era, Starring in over 100 films (many of which are now lost, leading to Acord's modern-day cult status.) But a serious drinking problem and a voice unsuitable for sound meant that Art had to return to rodeos. Depressed over the reversal in his fortunes, Acord committed suicide at the age of 40.

Fighters Of The Saddle: Greedy speculator Henry Weatherby has been buying up land, forcing farmers off their homes in the process. His son Dick is a willing accomplice until he meets female rancher Nesta Wayne. Falling in love with the beautiful young girl, he turns against his father. Infuriated with Dick's betrayal, the elder Weatherby kidnaps Nesta and has his son framed for murder. With his girlfriend in mortal danger, Dick must clear his name before it's too late. Directed by Robert J. Horner.

BONUS: Pursued: Red Hank and his gang rob a stagecoach, taking young Mary Grant hostage. Unbeknownst to the crooks, Marshal Bill Strong watches it all happen. The lawman poses as an outlaw to gain entrance into the gang and free their prisoner. But Bill had not counted on falling in love with Mary. When Red discovers the Marshal's deception, the gang leader challenges him to a showdown at dawn. If Bill refuses, the cost will be Mary's life. This film was also released under the title The Arizona Kid.

Note: Due to the age and rarity of these films, some picture anomalies do exist. Directed by Horace B. Carpenter.

• silent