Golden Trails (1925)

Starring: Dick Carter

Director: William Bertram

Studio: William Mix Productions

PLOT SUMMARY:

Down on his luck prospector and ranchman Jack Remsen (Dick Carter) owes wealthy shop owner Steve Prater (Frank Austin) a considerable sum of money. As it turns out, Remsen has placed his ranch and his horse up for collateral, however Remsen refuses to surrender his prized pinto. Nearby Remsen's ranch, fellow prospector and Remsen's friend Pop Curran (Harry Belmour), dies after a dynamite explosion at his claim. Curran instructs Remsen to look after his daughter before passing. The night stage arrives, bringing with it Della Prater (Dorothy Wood) and a man named Lacy. Lacy is, in fact, notorious outlaw Pete Lascalles (Lew Meehan) who kidnaps Prater's daughter and forces her to send her father a ransom note. To avenge himself, Remsen swoops in to save the woman whom me mistakenly thinks is his friend's daughter.

FILM REVIEW:

Golden Trails is one of those ultra-obscure silent westerns where little is known about any of the participants. Indeed, an internet search for Dick Carter doesn't reveal much other than he starred in a handful of oaters for William Bertram and "William Mix Productions," and that he also served as a stuntman in several pictures. The most recognizable star in the film is Lew Meehan who served as villain and general no-good ruffian in a great number of silent and early sound "B" westerns. 

Dick Carter is a mediocre hero. Indeed, he is quite a diminutive fellow and is woefully lacking in the good looks that so many other cowboy stars at the time possessed. Carter is an adept horseman and his riding is better than his fighting ability. This is one of those early silent westerns where many a haymaker is thrown but always misses the mark. Everyone in Golden Trails, aside from Meehan, look lost under William Bertram's sleepy direction. The film was quite a slog to get through and what was in actuality only fifty minutes of film felt like two hours. 

However, I am happy to report that, even though Golden Trails is as mediocre as they come, the film has been preserved by the Library of Congress and was a far better viewing experience than I've had for some time. Alpha Video released Golden Trails along with a Dick Hatton western The Lure of the Range, which I look forward to viewing some day.

All in all, if you are like me and love watching ultra obscure silent "B" westerns with a cast of nobodies, than Golden Trails is the picture for you. Otherwise, best to skip this one.

Until next time, pardners!