The Virginian (Silent) (DVD)

A free-spirited cowboy known only as "The Virginian" rides into a small frontier town with his best friend, Steve. He falls in love with Molly, a prim schoolmarm, after saving her from being killed in a stagecoach accident. Overcome by jealousy and the lure of easy money, Steve joins a gang of cattle rustlers. The two friends find themselves on opposing sides when the Virginian is asked to lead a posse to bring the thieves to justice.

The Virginian was the first filmed adaptation of Owen Wister's popular novel. It was later remade in 1929 with Gary Cooper and 1946 with Joel McCrea. A TV series that starred James Drury ran on NBC from 1962 to 1971. The Virginian is the first solo credit for the legendary Cecil B. DeMille, who had shared the director's chair on previous films. Star Dustin Farnum got his break in motion pictures when DeMille cast him in The Squaw Man (1914). He had also played The Virginian ten years earlier in a stage version on Broadway. Farnum would again have the opportunity to originate an iconic role when he starred in the first film version of The Scarlet Pimpernel (1917). He would also wed his leading lady in The Virginian, Winifred Kingston, and they remained married until his death in 1929.

• western