Smashing Barriers

This was originally issued as a 15-part serial in 1919. Contemporary reviews indicated that continuity was not high on the list of priorities for the film makers. That was never really an issue for serials. So long as an episode ended with an exciting cliff hanger, and the next began with a rescue -- turns out they were standing on a little ledge -- who really cared what had happened two chapters and three weeks ago.

In any case, it was edited into a feature in 1923, and then, in 1932, a one-reel cut down was made. I looked at the cut down, and it is an exciting thing, as logging-camp owner Edith Johnson is kidnapped and rescued by William Duncan. There's some fine photography of the big trees, and a couple of exciting bits, including a fine final rescue from the minions as they attempt to crash a house in which the leads are hiding. There's little offered in the way of a story, but as a visual exercise, it's fun.