'49–'17
A judge who had taken part in the gold rush of 1849 hires an acting troupe to recreate the experience in this rather fanciful silent Western. The make-believe turns serious when a real gold mine is discovered nearby and a local girl is kidnapped by a nasty gambler.
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📋 Film Details
| Year | 1917 |
| Country | United States of America |
| Genre | Western |
| Director | Ruth Ann Baldwin |
| Runtime | 69 min. |
| Rating | TMDB: 5.8/10 (14 votes) |
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🎬 MovieFinder's Take
The film constructs a clever duality, blurring the lines between staged performance and raw frontier reality. It relies on this contrast to explore how the allure of gold corrupts and transforms, using silent cinema's expressive visuals to drive the narrative.
What lingers after the final reel is a playful yet pointed commentary on the myths we recreate and the truths they conceal. A charming early Western with a self-aware twist. — MovieFinder Editorial
Director: Ruth Ann Baldwin
Best Watched
Best enjoyed with live piano accompaniment, embracing the silent era's spirit of adventure.
🎭 Cast
Joseph W. Girard
Judge Brand
Leo Pierson
Tom Reeves aka Tom Robbins
William Dyer
J. Gordon Castle
Mattie Witting
'Ma' Bobbett
George C. Pearce
Ezra 'Pa' Bobbett
Jean Hersholt
'Gentleman Jim' Raynor
Donna Drew
Peggy Bobbett
Phyllis Haver
Young Bee Adams
Bud Osborne
Cowboy Pitchman
Zasu Pitts
Party Guest (uncredited)
💬 Audience Reviews
Audience Score
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