White Oak

Much better production values than the usual William S. Hart vehicle. Also unusual being set in the 1850's and the women's costumes are especially nice.

This being Hollywood, the desert starts just outside of Independence, MO and the Indians are a no good lot.

Professional gambler and gunslinger William S. Hart (as Oak Miller) dearly loves sister Helen Holly (as Rose Miller). The story begins with Ms. Holly on the Missouri riverboat "Valletta". Holly is engaged to gentlemanly Alexander Gaden (as Mark Granger), who decides he wants to "honeymoon" before marriage. Horrified, virtuous Holly jumps ship. Ashore, Mr. Hart senses the danger (with the help of a well-timed letter), and rushes to the rescue. Recovering from her near-drowning, Holly pleads with Hart not to seek vengeance.

Later, Mr. Gaden disguises himself with a beard; in town, he causes trouble for Hart and his sweetheart, brown-eyed bank cashier Vola Vale (as Barbara). Ms. Vale also has trouble fending off the advances of lecherous step-father Bert Sprotte (as Eliphalet Moss). After attempting rape, Mr. Sprotte turns up dead. Vale's long-lost brother also turns up. Hart is accused of killing Sprotte, and jailed. Vale joins a traveling Wagon Train, with the always sexually-charged Gaden. "Indians" mix in; as it turns out, Gaden has had his way with an Indian lass.

There are several good scenes, helped by the photography of Joe August; but, William S. Hart's over-produced, over-plotted tale of reluctant vengeance doesn't compare with his earlier work. Only a dog named "Jeff" could sort "White Oak" out.

Woof, woof!

The best performances in this film are turned in by Oak Miller's jealous paint horse and a dog named Jeff who brings about the heroic rescue of a wagon train under Indian attack. This creaky old horse opera contains just about every silent-western cliché you could think of, which makes it entertaining in ways its creators undoubtedly did not intend. The plot features not one, but TWO maidens whose virtue is threatened by men of evil intent. (In case you don't recognize the bad guys by their black hats, long beards, and shifty eyes, the titles will obligingly point them out for you.)

"Oak" is the perfect name for a character played by William S. Hart, whose acting technique seems to have been copied from that very material. Apparently he lavished much attention on making the movie's details—such as costumes and settings—as realistic and historically accurate as possible. Too bad he didn't give equal consideration to the storyline, which is repetitious, slow-moving, and lacking in excitement (outside of Jeff's heroic dash through the sagebrush for help).

A real antique, worth watching perhaps for its historical interest.