JohnHowardReid "Big Stakes" is certainly a most unusual western, but one that's most definitely well worth seeing. The framework is the usual two men in love with the same girl, but this plot is cleverly entangled with other issues which I won't go into here as I'm sure you'll want to see this movie for yourself if only for a glimpse of the star, popular J.B. Warner. Already our hero looks like a very sick man, especially in his close-ups, but despite his sunken cheeks and skeletal frame, he still holds charisma. The support cast is also top-notch with the super-lovely Elinor Fair on constant display as the female in dispute and Robert Henry Grey (who was also to die young and at the very height of his profession) as her amazing, turncoat villain/lover. With Warner, Fair and/or Grey constantly on screen, that doesn't leave much room for cute, diminutive Willie Mae Carson, who plays the turncoat hero's original love interest. She made only six film appearances between 1919 and 1928, and then retired from the movies (and presumably show biz) completely although she stayed put in L.A. until she died in 1976. I bet no-one bothered to interview her! Available on an excellent Apha DVD coupled with yet another excellent, must-see western, "A Desperate Chance".

Richard Green This excellent silent western was aired on Turner Classic Movies on the important Mexican holiday of "Cinco de Mayo," or May 5th.The copy of this film was in very good condition, and the dialogue panels were clear and readable ( mostly ). It was an exciting romp.Most interesting to see was the interaction between the hero and his lovable sidekick, which has to be an early edition of a theme that so many hundreds of mainstream western tales used in subsequent years.In some ways the romance elements were subordinate to the villainous threats posed by the local Ku Klux Klan leader, and his Klavern.All these decades later, most folks know almost nothing about the surge in membership in, and activities of, the K.K.K. in the 1920s. The Klan was re-founded in or about 1915 and by the '20s had surfaced as a most potent and important social and political factor in many parts of the United States. However, it is not clear from the known history of the Klan that their movement had so much presence on the border.Given the times, this portrayal of Klansmen as being fundamentally evil and hostile was a daring bit of story-telling for the film's authors.All in all, this was a great window, a 'moving picture window,' on our western heritage with good performances by every member of the cast.

wes-connors Devil-may-care buckaroo J.B. Warner (as Jim Gregory) is torn between two pretty women: south-of-the-border Senorita Elinor Fair (as Mercedes Aloyez) catches his romantic eye - but, beautiful Caucasian waitress-in-distress Wilamae Carson (as Mary Moore) also captures his attention. Probably, the weakest part of the story involves how the women become a dilemma for Mr. Warner, because he is scripted to favor Ms. Fair almost exclusively; Ms. Moore unexpectedly attains an equal romantic status, later in the running. And, Warner's selection seems strangely xenophobic.Despite its shortcomings, "Big Stakes" is an enjoyable, well-paced silent western. The handcuffed "big stake" opening leads a to few clever bits, and the cast performs them very well. The climax provides some old-fashioned D.W. Griffith-styled excitement. Tall-in-the-saddle Warner is comically supported by rotund ton-of-fun Hilliard Karr (as "Skinny" Fargo). This film provides a rare look at Warner, a western star who died unexpectedly. Les Bates and Robert Grey, the actors playing the two main villains, also died too soon.****** Big Stakes (8/15/22) Clifford S. Elfelt ~ J.B. Warner, Elinor Fair, Hilliard Karr

boblipton An excellent silent western starring the now unfortunately forgotten J.B. Warner. Told with good humor and interesting camerawork, we have Mr. Warner in love with a lovely Spanish senorita, his life saved by a jumping bean, then leading the Mexican army to rescue a woman from the Ku Klux Klan. Surviving prints are a bit dupy after eighty years, but it's still a pleasant effort and well worth your time.