The Stranger
About The Stranger
After a failed prospecting trip, Billy rides a burro across the desert toward Red Dog Gulch, with pick, shovel, and pack behind the saddle. Susie, the town drunkard's daughter, goes out on her horse. A little way from town, Pedro and Little Casino try to steal the horse. Billy runs them off and brings Susie back.
Cast & crew
More about The Stranger
A two-reel comedy directed by Arvid E. Gillstrom and written by Rex Taylor. Billy West stars. Leatrice Joy, Bud Ross, Oliver Hardy, Leo White, and Joe Bordeaux are in the cast. Wikidata dates it January 1, 1918, a year-precision date. Wikipedia says prints survive in private collections and that it has been issued on DVD, without naming the edition.
Themes
Making
West was starring in Chaplin-pattern two-reelers in 1918. Gillstrom directed this one as a desert arrival and a town fight rather than a city sketch.
Preservation
Wikipedia says prints survive in private collections. A copy is on the Internet Archive.
Notes
- Billy's outfit on the trail is a burro, a pick, a shovel, and a pack.
- The town is called Red Dog Gulch.
- Pedro and Little Casino are the pair who go after Susie's horse.
- Oliver Hardy is in the company, in the period before his pairing with Stan Laurel.
- Leatrice Joy plays in the town story. The published synopsis names Susie but does not assign the actress.
- A copy is on the Internet Archive.
Scenes
- Billy rides the burro into sight of Red Dog Gulch.
- Pedro and Little Casino grab at Susie's horse.
- Billy drives them off and takes her back to town.
Also available
- Internet Archive (silent-the-stranger)
