The Third Woman

Routine entry in the Ramona, Squaw Man cycle with star Blackwell less grotesque when younger here as the product of the unions of an Eastern States business man and an Indian mother. ("Luke has some of the desert in him. Some day he'll hear the call")

This one starts like a society drama then picks up with village life second unit of grinding flour for corn bread as an introduction to "Sun baked pueblos neath the painted mesas." However the western segment is also static. The Indian fiancé gets little time in the Reservation School material where Blackwell has become a teacher to connect with his heritage.

We get Lovely as the Third Woman who sets out after Blackwell in a Prairie Schooner and Walter Long (BIRTH OF A NATION) as the blackmailing bandit who Carlyle fights though he's been shot, in the finale.

Competent dullish direction by Swickard who once handled HELLS HINGES. There are the usual attempts at style - masking and irises and a painting that comes to life.

This is a curious little silent film about a young man from a wealthy white family, who discovers he is half Native American. He then goes on a spiritual odyssey to discover his true identity. He tries to assimilate himself with Native Americans by teaching in a reservation, but finds he cannot fit into either world. Until he finds love.

Good performances, particularly from Louise Lovely who usually played sweet heroines, but here does a great job as the snobby fiancee of the young man, who swiftly rejects him when she discovers his racial background. Also nicely shot, and of great interest to anyone interested in perceptions of racial identity. Available for viewing at the National Film and Sound Archive in Canberra, Australia.