Bucking Broadway

Plot

On a Wyoming ranch, cowboy Cheyenne Harry (Harry Carey) falls deeply in love with his employer's beautiful daughter, who is courted by both Harry and the sophisticated Captain Thornton, a wealthy Eastern visitor. Despite Harry's genuine affection, the young woman is swept off her feet by Thornton's promises of glamour and decides to elope with him to New York City. Once in the bustling metropolis, she quickly discovers that the urban lifestyle and Thornton's true character are not what they appeared to be on the ranch. Devastated by her departure but still devoted, Cheyenne Harry follows her to the city, navigating the unfamiliar urban landscape to find his lost love. In a dramatic climax, Harry rescues her from Thornton's clutches and the decadent city life, ultimately bringing her back to the authenticity and freedom of the western frontier.

Historical Background

1917 was a pivotal year in American history and cinema. The United States had just entered World War I in April, bringing significant changes to American society and the film industry. The silent film era was at its height, with Hollywood establishing itself as the world's film production center. Westerns were particularly popular during this period, reflecting American values of individualism and the frontier spirit. The film industry was also undergoing major changes with the establishment of the studio system, and Universal was one of the major players competing with studios like Paramount and Fox. The contrast between rural and urban life depicted in 'Bucking Broadway' reflected real societal tensions as America was transitioning from an agricultural to an industrial nation. This film emerged during the golden age of silent westerns, before the genre became more codified and formulaic in the 1920s and 1930s.

Making Of

The production of 'Bucking Broadway' took place during Universal's peak western production period, when the studio was churning out dozens of western films per month. John Ford, then known as Jack Ford, was part of Universal's stable of young, ambitious directors who could deliver films quickly and efficiently. Harry Carey, already established as Universal's premier western star, brought credibility to the production with his genuine cowboy background and natural acting style. The film's urban sequences required extensive set construction on Universal's backlot, where the art department created convincing New York street scenes. The contrast between the wide-open spaces of the West and the claustrophobic city environment was achieved through careful cinematography and editing techniques that were innovative for the time. The collaboration between Ford and Carey on this film helped establish their working relationship and set the template for many of their future western collaborations.

Visual Style

The cinematography of 'Bucking Broadway' demonstrates the visual storytelling techniques emerging during the silent era. The film uses contrasting visual styles to distinguish between the western and urban settings, with wide-open compositions for the Wyoming sequences and more constrained framing for the New York scenes. The camera work, while typical of 1917 productions, shows early signs of John Ford's later distinctive visual style, particularly in his use of landscape to establish character and theme. The film employs effective use of depth and movement in the outdoor sequences, taking advantage of natural lighting to create authentic western atmospheres. The urban scenes utilize more complex set design and lighting to convey the artificiality and danger of city life. The cinematography successfully supports the narrative's moral contrast between the honest West and corrupting East.

Innovations

While 'Bucking Broadway' was not a technical innovator in the way some 1917 films were, it demonstrated solid technical craftsmanship typical of Universal's efficient production system. The film's effective use of location shooting and studio sets to create contrasting environments showed advanced production planning for its time. The editing techniques, particularly in the cross-cutting between western and urban sequences, helped establish narrative tension and thematic contrast. The film's preservation status makes it technically valuable as an example of 1917 film stock and processing techniques. The production's ability to create convincing settings on Universal's backlot demonstrated the studio's technical capabilities in set construction and art direction. The film's relatively smooth pacing and clear visual storytelling represent the technical sophistication achieved by Hollywood studios by 1917.

Music

As a silent film, 'Bucking Broadway' would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its original theatrical run. The typical score would have included popular songs of the era, classical pieces, and specially composed music to enhance the dramatic moments. The western sequences would likely have featured folk-inspired melodies and cowboy songs, while the urban scenes might have used more sophisticated, jazz-influenced music to reflect the city environment. Modern screenings of the film often feature newly composed scores by silent film accompanists who create period-appropriate music that enhances the film's emotional impact and narrative clarity. The absence of recorded dialogue makes the visual storytelling particularly important, with the musical accompaniment serving to guide audience emotional responses.

Memorable Scenes

• The dramatic rescue sequence where Cheyenne Harry confronts Captain Thornton in the New York apartment, combining western action with urban setting
• The opening ranch scenes establishing the authentic western atmosphere and Harry's character
• The contrast between the wide-open Wyoming landscapes and the claustrophobic New York streets
• The emotional reunion scene where Harry convinces his love to return to the West

What Critics Said

Contemporary reviews in 1917 praised the film for its authentic western atmosphere and Harry Carey's performance. The Motion Picture News noted that 'Bucking Broadway' offered 'a refreshing contrast between the honest life of the West and the artificiality of Eastern society.' Modern critics and film historians have come to appreciate the film as an important early work by John Ford, with many noting the emergence of his distinctive directorial style. The film is often cited in scholarly works about Ford's career as demonstrating his early mastery of visual storytelling and his ability to work efficiently within studio constraints. Film historians particularly value the surviving print as it represents one of the few examples of Ford's early Universal period work. The film is frequently discussed in academic contexts for its role in establishing the western genre conventions that would dominate American cinema for decades.

What Audiences Thought

The film was well-received by contemporary audiences in 1917, particularly western fans who appreciated Harry Carey's authentic portrayal of cowboy life. The contrast between western and urban settings resonated with audiences experiencing rapid social changes in America. The film's straightforward moral framework and clear hero identification appealed to the popular tastes of the time. Modern audiences, primarily film enthusiasts and scholars, have shown renewed interest in the film due to its historical significance as an early John Ford work. The film's preservation and occasional screenings at film festivals and archives have allowed new generations to appreciate this early example of American cinema. The relatively short runtime and clear storytelling make it accessible to modern viewers interested in silent film history.

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