The Vanishing American | 1925 | Western, Drama

Title: The Vanishing American 1925 | 1925 | Western, Drama Director: George B. Seitz Studio: Famous Players-Lasky Starring: Richard Dix, Lois Wilson, Noah Beery, Malcolm McGregor Based on: The Vanishing American by Zane Grey Release Date: October 15, 1925 Runtime: 110 Format: Silent, black-and-white, 35mm, 1.33:1, English intertitles Country: United States Language: Silent Genres: Western, Drama --- Chapters: 00:00:00 Prologue and ancient homelands 00:15:00 Reservation tensions and Booker’s abuses 00:40:00 War service abroad 01:05:00 Return and disillusionment 01:30:00 Uprising and final reckoning --- Summary: On a Navajo reservation overseen by a corrupt official, tribal leader Nophaie seeks justice as his people are exploited and their resources diverted. Encouraged by schoolteacher Marian Warner, he helps supply horses to the U.S. Army during World War I and enlists, believing service will improve conditions at home. After the war, Nophaie returns to find the situation worsened. Confrontations with the administration escalate, leading to tragedy. The film blends romance and action with a reformist theme, depicting the pressures facing Native communities and the costs of assimilation and broken promises. --- Background: Adapted from Zane Grey’s novel, which originated as a controversial 1922–1923 magazine serial, the production was mounted by Famous Players-Lasky and released by Paramount. Much of it was filmed on Navajo Nation lands, including Monument Valley and Rainbow Bridge, contributing to its large-scale vistas. Public criticism of Grey’s harsher portrayal of U.S. policy prompted script adjustments that shifted blame toward a single antagonist while retaining the story’s reformist thrust. --- Trivia: Gary Cooper appears unbilled in a small role early in his career. Location photography included Monument Valley, Rainbow Bridge, and Tsegi Canyon, helping establish these landscapes as enduring Western backdrops. Contemporary publicity noted the use of large numbers of Native American extras and the logistical challenges of remote desert filming. The film premiered in New York on October 15, 1925, with composer Hugo Riesenfeld conducting the score at the Criterion Theatre. A sound-era remake of the story was released in 1955. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: October 15, 1925 Original Studio / Distributor: Famous Players-Lasky / Paramount Pictures Copyright Status: Public Domain Renewal: Unknown --- Hashtags: TheVanishingAmerican PublicDomain SilentFilm Western RichardDix LoisWilson ZaneGrey ParamountPictures GeorgeBSeitz 1920sCinema Source page: https: //commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Vanishing_American_1925.webm Direct media URL: https: //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/22/The_Vanishing_American_1925.webm