Straight Shooting (1917)

Straight Shooting Poster

Cattleman Flint cuts off farmer Sims' water supply. When Sims' son Ted goes for water, one of Flint's men kills him. Cheyenne is sent to finish off Sims, but finding the family at the newly dug grave, he changes sides.

Film Overview
"Straight Shooting" is an American silent western movie launched in 1917. Directed by John Ford, it starred Harry Carey as its protagonist, and is typically thought about among Ford's many distinct early works. The film was Ford's first feature movie, marking his departure from the brief films which he had previously been understood for.

Plot Summary
"Straight Shooting" is embeded in the iconic Wild West and tells the gripping tale of dispute in between frontier ranchers and farmers. The narrative revolves around Cheyenne Harry, represented by Harry Carey. He is hired by an atrocious rancher, Thunder Flint (Duke R. Lee), to create trouble for a farmer, Sweetwater Sims (George Berrell), who declines to sell his land. Nevertheless, Harry establishes compassion for the farmer's family after seeing the predicament of their suffering, particularly Sims' daughter Joan (Molly Malone).

In a surprising turn of events, Harry turns versus his company, Flint, and decides to agree the farmer rather, fixing to help them fight versus the callous landowner and his gang. The movie advances with gripping suspense, action, and drama as Harry, the when villain-turned-hero, fights for justice and assists the farmers recover their rights.

Key Themes
"Straight Shooting" is one of the earliest movies to handle the thematic binary of good versus evil. It explores concerns of morality, social standards, and personal conscience. Harry Carey's character undergoes change throughout the movie, breaking the traditional stereotype of unmoving antagonists in movie theater at that time. His development from a feared nuisance to a protector of justice deeply resonates with audiences, laying the groundwork for character advancement that would become crucial to the Western category.

Cinematic Styles and Techniques
The recording style of "Straight Shooting" has actually received noteworthy appreciation. For its time, the movie showed high levels of sophistication and maturity in cinematography. John Ford made efficient usage of tracking shots, medium shots, long shots, and close-ups. The final shootout scene is especially amazing and displays Ford's unique storytelling design and his present for staging suspenseful action.

Tradition and Impact
"Straight Shooting" assisted develop Ford's reputation as a considerable director in the movie market. It likewise began an effective partnership with Harry Carey, which lasted for a series of 25 movies. The dynamic character representation of Cheyenne Harry set a precedent for the evolving functions of heroes and bad guys in western films.

Despite the fact that it was made more than a century earlier, "Straight Shooting" stays prominent in movie theater today, especially within the Western category. In spite of a number of elements appearing outdated, the core themes and character advancement provided in this movie remain pertinent, making it a traditional representation of early American cinema.

Top Cast

  • Harry Carey (small)
    Harry Carey
    Cheyenne Harry
  • Duke R. Lee (small)
    Duke R. Lee
    Thunder
  • George Berrell (small)
    George Berrell
    Sweet Water Sim
  • Molly Malone (small)
    Molly Malone
    Joan Sim
  • Ted Brooks
    Sim's Son
  • Hoot Gibson (small)
    Hoot Gibson
    Danny Morgan
  • Milton Brown
    Black-Eye Pete
  • Vester Pegg
    Placer Fremont