The Virginian

Dustin Farnum is "The Virginian", a cow-puncher who arrives to settle in Bear Creek, Wyoming; where, he meets, and falls in "lov" (sic) with newly arrived schoolteacher Winifred Kingston (as Molly Wood). His life is complicated when his best friend Jack W. Johnston (as Steve) gets involved with town gangster William 'Billy' Elmer (as Trampas).

The part, early on, with Mr. Farnum and Hosea Steelman (as Lin McLean) exchanging guests' babies while they dance and drink whiskey, is amusing. There are some interestingly set-up outdoor shots from director Cecil B. DeMille. The story is sometimes odd; for example, Mr. Johnston takes up with Mr. Elmer, it's stated, as Farnum "neglects" him to be with Ms. Kingston. Later, Johnston writes something on a newspaper - "good by (unreadable) i couldn't speak to you without (unreadable) the baby Steve". I watched it with my finger on still, and still couldn't figure it out. Among the featured players. Johnston delivered the best performance. Farnum and Kingston, who had just co-starred in "The Squaw Man" (1914), would later marry.

***** The Virginian (9/7/14) Cecil B. DeMille ~ Dustin Farnum, Winifred Kingston, Jack W. Johnston