SILENT FILMS 1916-1920: RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE (1918)

CREDITS

Released: September 1, 1918

Production Company: Fox Film Corporation

Featured Cast: William Farnum, William Scott, Marc B. Robbins, Murdock MacQuarrie, Mary Mersch, Kathryn Adams, Nancy Caswell, J. Holmes, Buck Jones, Jack Nelson

Director: Frank Lloyd

Writer: Zane Grey (novel), Frank Lloyd

TECH

Runtime 57 min
Sound Mix Silent
Color Black and White
Aspect Ratio 1.33 : 1
Film Length 1,972 m (7 reels)
Negative Format 35 mm
Cinematographic Process Spherical
Printed Film Format 35 mm

STORY

Lassiter, a Texas Ranger, goes after the sect which has abducted his sister Millie. During his search, he encounters Jane Withersteen, who owns a rich estate. Lassiter saves a man named Venters from a whipping by men who think Venters is courting Jane.

Lassiter takes Venters’ place as manager of Jane’s ranch, while Venters goes in search of cattle thieves. Venters discovers the thieves are led by a masked rider, and wounds the rider. The rider turns out to be female, and Venters nurses her back to health. Lassiter discovers that Millie is dead, and takes an orphan girl named Fay Larkin under his wing. When Fay is abducted by the same sect that had taken his sister, Lassiter takes his vengeance out on their leader, Dyer, and rescues Fay.

As they are fleeing, they meet Venters and the masked rider, whom Lassiter recognizes as his sister’s daughter, Bess. Venters and Bess ride east to be married, but Lassiter’s escape route is cut off by pursuers, led by Elder Tull. Lassiter, Jane, and Fay find an entrance to a canyon, but it is blocked by a massive rock. Lassiter manages to push the rock down on Tull and his followers, but in the process, he seals himself, Jane, and Fay in the canyon.
Written by scsu1975