The Texan

Plot

Tex Benton, a wandering cowboy traveling across the American West, stops to test the age-old fable of the tortoise and the hare by racing a jack rabbit against a turtle. When the rabbit wins decisively, Tex decides to model his life after the swift, aggressive style of the hare. Arriving in a border town, he rescues an Indian named Bat from trouble, and the two form a lasting friendship. In the town of Wolfville, Tex enters a rodeo competition where he first encounters Alice Marcum, an Eastern beauty whose train has stalled in town. Tex competes for Alice's affections against a sophisticated Easterner, but despite his hare-like approach to romance, Tex loses to the slower, steadier Eastern tenderfoot. Heartbroken but philosophical, Tex concludes that he's not meant for married life and continues his wandering ways, embracing his identity as a free-spirited cowboy.

Historical Background

The Texan emerged in 1920 during a transformative period in American cinema and society. The film industry was consolidating its power in Hollywood, with major studios like Fox Film Corporation establishing the star system that would dominate for decades. Tom Mix represented the idealized American cowboy at a time when the nation was grappling with rapid modernization and the aftermath of World War I. Western films served as a nostalgic escape, presenting a mythologized version of the American frontier that resonated with audiences seeking stability and traditional values. The film's release coincided with the beginning of Prohibition, and its themes of individual freedom and rebellion against convention struck a chord with viewers. The transition from short films to features was reshaping the industry, and successful stars like Mix were crucial in proving that audiences would pay premium prices for longer, more sophisticated narratives. The film also reflected the growing sophistication of movie storytelling, incorporating literary references (the tortoise and hare fable) and more complex character development than earlier Western shorts.

Making Of

The production of 'The Texan' took place during a pivotal time in Hollywood's transition from short films to feature-length productions. Tom Mix, who had become a superstar through his series of short Westerns for Fox, was proving his drawing power in longer formats. Director Lynn Reynolds, understanding Mix's appeal to audiences, crafted scenes that showcased Mix's exceptional horsemanship and charismatic screen presence. The filming of the opening sequence with the turtle and hare reportedly took several days to complete, as the animals proved difficult to direct. Mix, known for his hands-on approach to filmmaking, personally trained the animals and devised the hidden track system that ensured the rabbit's victory. The rodeo scenes were particularly challenging to film, requiring coordination between professional rodeo performers, stuntmen, and the film crew. Mix insisted on performing his own rodeo stunts, much to the concern of the studio's insurance carriers. The film's romantic subplot was carefully balanced with the action elements to appeal to both male and female audiences, a strategy that proved successful at the box office.

Visual Style

The cinematography by Daniel B. Clark utilized the expansive landscapes of California to create a mythic vision of the American West. Clark employed natural lighting for the outdoor sequences, taking advantage of the golden hour to capture the romantic beauty of the frontier settings. The rodeo scenes were filmed with multiple cameras to capture the dynamic action from various angles, a relatively advanced technique for 1920. Clark used innovative camera movements, including tracking shots following Mix on horseback, to create a sense of speed and freedom that enhanced the film's themes. The contrast between the wide-open spaces and the more confined town settings was carefully composed to reinforce the film's central conflict between freedom and domesticity. The film's visual style helped establish the aesthetic template for Westerns that would persist throughout the silent era and beyond.

Innovations

While not groundbreaking in its technical innovations, 'The Texan' employed several advanced techniques for its time. The film's use of multiple cameras for the rodeo sequences allowed for more dynamic editing of action scenes, creating a sense of immediacy and excitement. The production team developed special rigging for the animal sequences in the opening scene, including hidden tracks that guided the animals' movements while maintaining the illusion of natural behavior. The film's editing, particularly in the action sequences, was faster-paced than many contemporary films, reflecting the influence of Soviet montage theory that was beginning to influence American cinema. The production also utilized location shooting extensively, which was still relatively expensive and logistically challenging in 1920, demonstrating Fox's commitment to creating authentic Western productions.

Music

As a silent film, 'The Texan' was accompanied by live musical performances during its theatrical run. The typical score would have included popular songs of the era, classical pieces, and specially composed mood music. Fox Film Corporation provided theaters with detailed cue sheets suggesting appropriate music for each scene. The rodeo sequences likely featured energetic, rhythmic music such as ragtime or early jazz pieces, while romantic scenes would have been accompanied by sentimental ballads. The opening sequence with the turtle and hare might have included playful, whimsical music to emphasize the fable-like quality of the scene. Some larger theaters employed small orchestras, while smaller venues used piano or organ accompaniment. The musical accompaniment was crucial in conveying emotion and enhancing the film's narrative impact for silent-era audiences.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening sequence where Tex stages a race between a jack rabbit and turtle to test the old fable, featuring clever animal training and hidden camera techniques
• The dramatic rodeo competition where Tex showcases his exceptional riding skills, performing dangerous stunts that thrilled audiences
• The emotional confrontation scene where Tex realizes he has lost Alice to the Easterner, demonstrating Mix's ability to convey complex emotions without dialogue
• The rescue sequence where Tex saves Bat from trouble, establishing their friendship and demonstrating Tex's moral code
• The final scene where Tex rides off into the sunset, embracing his identity as a lone wanderer

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised 'The Texan' for its exciting action sequences and Tom Mix's dynamic performance. The Motion Picture News noted that 'Mix proves once again why he is the king of cowboys, delivering thrilling rodeo action and genuine charm.' Variety highlighted the film's novel approach to the Western formula, stating that 'the tortoise and hare theme adds an unexpected intellectual dimension to what could have been a standard cowboy picture.' Modern film historians recognize the movie as an important transitional work in Mix's career and the evolution of the Western genre. Critics have noted that while the film follows many conventional Western tropes, its self-referential humor and meta-narrative elements were ahead of their time. The preservation of the film has allowed contemporary scholars to study early feature-length Western production techniques and Mix's influential performance style.

What Audiences Thought

The Texan was a substantial box office success upon its release in October 1920, capitalizing on Tom Mix's enormous popularity with moviegoers. Audiences particularly responded to Mix's spectacular stunt riding and the authentic rodeo sequences, which were a major draw in an era when live rodeo shows were popular entertainment. The film's romantic subplot appealed to female viewers, helping to broaden Western's traditional male-dominated audience base. Contemporary newspaper accounts report packed theaters in both urban centers and rural areas, with many theaters running the film for multiple weeks due to popular demand. The film's success contributed to Fox Film Corporation's decision to increase production of feature-length Westerns starring Mix. Audience letters published in fan magazines of the era praised Mix's 'real cowboy' authenticity and the film's exciting action, with many viewers specifically mentioning the opening sequence with the turtle and hare as particularly memorable.

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