''Romance Land'' is a 1923 American silent

Western Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US *Western, New York, a town in the US *Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western world, countries that id ...

film directed by

Edward Sedgwick Edward Sedgwick (November 7, 1889 – March 7, 1953) was an American film director, writer, actor and producer. Early life He was born in Galveston, Texas, the son of Edward Sedgwick, Sr. and Josephine Walker, both stage actors. At the age ...

and written by

Joseph F. Poland Joseph Franklin Poland (September 4, 1892 – March 23, 1962) was an American screenwriter. He wrote for more than 130 films between 1913 and 1954. He was born in Waterbury, Connecticut and died in Los Angeles, California. Selected filmog ...

. It is based on the story "The Gun-Fanner" by

Kenneth Perkins Kenneth Taylor Perkins (May 16, 1890 – June 7, 1951) was an American author of Western, mystery, adventure, and horror stories. From 1920 until his death in 1951, Perkins wrote plays, novels, radio and television scripts, and scores of short s ...

, published in Argosy, June 10-July 1, 1922. The film stars

Tom Mix Thomas Edwin Mix (born Thomas Hezikiah Mix; January 6, 1880 – October 12, 1940) was an American film actor and the star of many early Western films between 1909 and 1935. He appeared in 291 films, all but nine of which were silent films. He w ...

, Barbara Bedford,

Frank Brownlee Frank Brownlee (October 11, 1874 – February 10, 1948) was an American film actor. He appeared in more than 110 films between 1911 and 1943. He was born in Dallas, Texas and died in Los Angeles, California. Selected filmography * '' Sol ...

, George Webb, Pat Chrisman, and Wynn Mace. The film was released on February 11, 1923, by

Fox Film Corporation The Fox Film Corporation (also known as Fox Studios) was an American Independent film production studio formed by William Fox (1879–1952) in 1915, by combining his earlier Greater New York Film Rental Company and Box Office Attractions Film ...

Plot

As described in a

film magazine Film periodicals combine discussion of individual films, genres and directors with in-depth considerations of the medium and the conditions of its production and reception. Their articles contrast with film reviewing in newspapers and magazines whi ...

, Pep Hawkins (Mix) read his books and became enthused with the spirit of the heroic

Walter Raleigh Sir Walter Raleigh (; – 29 October 1618) was an English statesman, soldier, writer and explorer. One of the most notable figures of the Elizabethan era, he played a leading part in English colonisation of North America, suppressed rebellion ...

. He fancies himself as a

Lancelot Lancelot du Lac (French for Lancelot of the Lake), also written as Launcelot and other variants (such as early German ''Lanzelet'', early French ''Lanselos'', early Welsh ''Lanslod Lak'', Italian ''Lancillotto'', Spanish ''Lanzarote del Lago' ...

and dons a set of armor as he rides in the western plains. Nan Harvess (Bedford) also sought romance and one day she was rescued by this knight in armor who stopped her runaway team. Although her uncle had promised her hand in marriage to another, she loves Pep. The uncle decides to hold a tournament to settle the question with chariot races and other stunts, and the victor to receive Nan's hand in marriage. When Pep tries to register for the tournament, he is initially ineligible, but finally convinces them that he is. During the tournament the uncle resorts to foul play to rid himself of Pep, but Pep always stages a comeback and finally wins. The uncle is forced to keep his promise and, although he tries at the last minute to prevent the wedding, Pep heroically takes his bride away.

Cast

as 'Pep' Hawkins * Barbara Bedford as Nan Harvess *

as 'Scrub' Hazen * George Webb as Counterfeit Bill * Pat Chrisman as White Eagle * Wynn Mace as Sheriff *

Tony the Horse The phrase Wonder Horses refers to the equine companions of cowboy heroes in early Western films. What makes these horses different from others that have appeared on the silver screen is their rise from trusty steed to a genuine screen personality ...

Preservation

A complete copy of ''Romance Land'' is held by a film archive.Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Database: ''Romance Land''
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References

External links

* * {{Edward Sedgwick 1923 films 1920s English-language films 1923 Western (genre) films Fox Film films Films based on novels Films directed by Edward Sedgwick American black-and-white films Silent American Western (genre) films Films with screenplays by Joseph F. Poland 1920s American films