No Man's Law | 1927 | Western

Title: No Man's Law | 1927 | Western Director: Fred Jackman Studio: Hal Roach Studios Starring: Rex the King of Wild Horses, Barbara Kent, James Finlayson, Oliver Hardy, Theodore Von Eltz Based on: Story by F. Richard Jones Release Date: April 24, 1927 Runtime: 60 minutes Format: Silent; black-and-white; 7 reels; English intertitles Country: United States Language: Silent Genres: Western. --- Chapters: 00:00:00 Outlaws in Death Valley 00:09:30 Belcher cabin and Rex introduced 00:24:00 Toby at the spring; rivalries sharpen 00:40:00 Checkers challenge and betrayal 00:52:00 Rex intervenes; final showdown --- Summary: Two fugitives, Spider O’Day and Sharkey Nye, flee a posse into Death Valley and happen upon prospector Jack Belcher and his foster daughter, Toby. A wild stallion, Rex, watches over them. The outlaws plot to seize Belcher’s claim, but Spider softens when he falls for Toby, provoking Sharkey’s rage. As tensions escalate, Sharkey betrays his partner and turns violent, only for Rex to intervene at crucial moments. The film culminates in a final confrontation that restores order and unites Spider and Toby, blending Western action with the animal-hero tradition. --- Background: Produced by Hal Roach, the picture was shot in Nevada at Roach’s Big Horn Ranch and originally carried the working title The Avenging Stallion. It features Barbara Kent in sequences that drew censorship attention at the time, and it is part of the popular series built around Rex, “King of the Wild Horses.” Cinematography credits include Floyd Jackman and a young George Stevens. --- Trivia: Oliver Hardy appears in an uncharacteristically villainous role as Sharkey Nye, prior to his firm establishment with Stan Laurel as Laurel and Hardy. The film’s early working title was The Avenging Stallion before release as No Man’s Law. Location filming took place at Hal Roach’s Big Horn Ranch near Moapa, Nevada. Barbara Kent’s bathing sequence reportedly prompted scrutiny from local review boards despite the use of a flesh-colored suit. Cinematographer George Stevens, later an acclaimed director, is credited here early in his career. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: April 24, 1927. Original Studio / Distributor: Hal Roach Studios / Pathé Exchange, Inc. Copyright Status: Public Domain . --- Hashtags: NoMansLaw 1927 SilentFilm Western OliverHardy BarbaraKent HalRoach PublicDomain Source page: https: //commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:No_Man%27s_Law_(1927).webm Direct media URL: https: //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9c/No_Man%27s_Law_%281927%29.webm