Desert Valley (1926)
A gripping silent Western in which a lone drifter takes on a ruthless water baron to save the ranchers of a drought-stricken frontier.
Desert Valley - Movie Information
- Original Title: Desert Valley
- Release Year: 1926
- Directed by: Scott R. Dunlap
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Western
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 6m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: No Language
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 25, 1926 (United States - NR)
- Alternative Titles: Tiro Piedoso (BR), Das Gespenst der Prärie (AT)
- Production Companies: Fox Film Corporation
- Production Countries: United States of America
Desert Valley - Plot
Seeing cattle dying of thirst, a stranger shoots a hole in Hoades water pipeline. Hoades is hoarding water trying to drive the ranchers away. Hounded by the law for stealing a pie, the stranger sees a chance to redeem himself by forcing Hoades to sell his pipeline and leave the area.
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Desert Valley - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Scott R. Dunlap
Main Cast
- Buck Jones
- Virginia Brown Faire
- Malcolm Waite
- Jack W. Johnston
- Charles Brinley
- Eugene Pallette
- William McCall
- Andrew Waldron
Desert Valley - FAQs
Who are the main actors in Desert Valley?
Desert Valley features Buck Jones in the lead role as Fitzsmith, alongside Virginia Brown Faire as Mildred Dean and Malcolm Waite as the villain Jeff Hoades. The supporting cast includes Eugene Pallette, Charles Brinley, Jack W. Johnston, William McCall, and Andrew Waldron.
What is Desert Valley about?
Desert Valley follows a wandering stranger who discovers that a ruthless man named Hoades is hoarding water to drive local ranchers off their land. After sabotaging the pipeline to save dying cattle, the stranger — already wanted for a trivial offense — fights to expose Hoades and restore justice to the parched frontier.
When was Desert Valley released?
Desert Valley was released on September 25, 1926, in the United States. Produced by Fox Film Corporation, it arrived during the golden age of silent Western cinema, when cowboy stars like Buck Jones were among Hollywood's biggest box-office draws.
Is Desert Valley based on a book or novel?
Yes, Desert Valley is adapted from a source novel or book. The story of a drifter standing up against a water-hoarding villain was translated to the screen by director Scott R. Dunlap, capturing the rugged moral landscape typical of Western frontier literature of the era.
Who directed Desert Valley?
Desert Valley was directed by Scott R. Dunlap, a prolific filmmaker of the silent era who worked extensively in the Western genre. Dunlap helmed numerous Buck Jones vehicles for Fox Film Corporation throughout the 1920s, helping to shape the cowboy star's on-screen persona.
What makes Buck Jones significant in Desert Valley?
Buck Jones was one of the top Western stars of the 1920s, rivaling Tom Mix in popularity. In Desert Valley, he plays Fitzsmith, a morally complex drifter who redeems himself through courage. Jones brought an athletic physicality and natural charisma to the role that made him a beloved figure of early Hollywood Westerns.
How long is Desert Valley?
Desert Valley runs for approximately 66 minutes, making it a compact and briskly paced Western. For a silent film of its era, that runtime was fairly standard, delivering a complete story of frontier conflict and redemption without overstaying its welcome.
What are some movies similar to Desert Valley?
If you enjoy Desert Valley, you might also like classic and modern Westerns such as El Dorado (1966), Jeremiah Johnson (1972), The Revenant (2015), Meek's Cutoff (2011), and First Cow (2020). These films share themes of frontier survival, moral conflict, and the rugged spirit of the American West.
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