By Indian Post

Plot

Jode MacWilliams, a young cowboy employed at the Circle O ranch, develops romantic feelings for his employer's beautiful daughter Peg. Too shy to express his emotions directly, Jode enlists his friend to compose a heartfelt love letter on his behalf. In a twist of fate, an Indian from a nearby tribe intercepts the letter and, misunderstanding its purpose, delivers it directly to Peg, creating an unexpected romantic situation. When news of Jode's affection reaches Peg's father, the stern ranch owner, he becomes furious and strongly opposes the budding romance, setting up a conflict between the young lovers and parental authority. The film follows Jode's attempts to win Peg's heart while navigating her father's disapproval and the comedic misunderstandings that arise from the letter's unusual delivery method.

Historical Background

1919 was a pivotal year in American cinema, marking the end of World War I and the beginning of Hollywood's golden age. The film industry was transitioning from short films to feature-length productions, though shorts like 'By Indian Post' remained popular for theater programming. This was also the year of the 1919 World Series scandal and the beginning of Prohibition, reflecting a nation in transition. John Ford was establishing himself during the formative years of the western genre, which would become America's signature film genre. The film's release coincided with the growing popularity of movie theaters across America and the increasing sophistication of film audiences who were developing an appetite for more complex storytelling even in short formats.

Making Of

John Ford was only 25 years old when he directed this film, yet he was already establishing himself as one of Universal's most reliable and prolific directors. The production was typical of Universal's assembly-line approach to western shorts during this period, with tight schedules and minimal budgets. Ford was known for his efficiency on set, often completing scenes in just one or two takes. The cast, particularly Pete Morrison, were regulars in Universal's western unit and had developed a comfortable working relationship with Ford. The film's comedic elements were likely developed through improvisation on set, as Ford encouraged his actors to contribute to the humor. The Indian character's role as an unexpected matchmaker was an unusual twist for the period and may have been Ford's contribution to elevate what might otherwise have been a standard western romance plot.

Visual Style

The cinematography was typical of Universal's western productions of the era, utilizing natural lighting and location shooting to create authentic frontier atmospheres. The camera work was straightforward and functional, focusing on clear storytelling rather than artistic experimentation, which was common for short subjects of this period. The film likely employed static camera positions for dialogue scenes and more dynamic movement for action sequences. The visual style emphasized the vastness of the western landscape, a motif that would become central to Ford's later work. Black and white film stock of 1919 had improved significantly from earlier years, allowing for better contrast and detail in outdoor scenes.

Innovations

The film employed standard technical practices for 1919 Universal productions, using 35mm black and white film stock with an aspect ratio of approximately 1.33:1. The editing would have followed continuity editing principles that were becoming standard in Hollywood by this time. The film's most notable technical aspect was likely its efficient production methods, allowing Universal to produce high-quality shorts on tight schedules. The use of location shooting combined with studio backlot work demonstrated the industry's growing sophistication in creating convincing western settings without the expense of entirely on-location productions.

Music

As a silent film, 'By Indian Post' would have been accompanied by live musical performance in theaters, typically piano or organ music. The score would have been compiled from standard photoplay music libraries, with selections chosen to match the mood of each scene - romantic themes for the love scenes, upbeat music for comedic moments, and dramatic music for conflict scenes. No original composed score was created for the film, which was standard practice for short subjects of this era. The music would have been improvised or selected by the theater's musical director based on cue sheets provided by the studio.

Memorable Scenes

• The scene where the Indian character discovers and reads the love letter, creating a moment of cross-cultural misunderstanding that drives the plot forward; The comedic delivery of the letter to Peg by the unexpected messenger; The confrontation between Jode and Peg's father when the romance is discovered

What Critics Said

Contemporary critical reception for short westerns like 'By Indian Post' was minimal, as these films were primarily reviewed in trade publications rather than mainstream newspapers. The film likely received standard positive notices in trade papers like Variety and Moving Picture World for its entertainment value and technical competence. Modern critics have had limited opportunity to assess the film due to its uncertain preservation status, though film historians recognize it as an important early work in John Ford's filmography and a representative example of Universal's western output during the silent era.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences in 1919 generally received films like 'By Indian Post' positively as part of the overall theater experience. The combination of western action, romance, and comedy appealed to the broad audience base that movie theaters cultivated during this period. The film's short length made it ideal for inclusion in varied theater programs, and its familiar western setting resonated with American audiences' ongoing fascination with frontier life. The romantic elements likely appealed to female viewers, while the western setting and action sequences attracted male audiences, making it a well-rounded entertainment package for the time.

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