Bucking Broadway
Directed by John Ford
Written by George Hively
1917/US
Universal Film Manufacturing Company
IMDb page
First viewing/Criterion Channel
Unnamed cowboy: He’s only a simple ranch hand; it must be more than friendship.
John Ford was making solid Westerns almost from the get-go.
Cheyenne Harry (Harry Carey) is the pride of the cowboys on the horse ranch where he works. He is in love with the ranch owner’s adorable daughter Helen (Molly Malone). The father is enthusiastic and a date is set.
But before the two can be united, a city slicker arrives looking for young horses to buy. He soon starts sweet talking Molly and eventually convinces her to run away with him to New York City. It doesn’t take Molly long to become disillusioned with her beau and then it is Harry to the rescue.
This is a sweet romance with some trademark Ford touches, including magnificent use of locations. It is not the baffling Western mystery promised in the poster however.
Numerous free full versions of the movie are currently on YouTube. No trailer or clips however so here is a tribute to Harry Carey, Ford’s favorite leading man until John Wayne came along.
