Volume II: Filmography

THE WILD, WOOLY WEST

(Princess)

November 27, 1914 (Friday)

Length: 1 reel (734 feet)

Character: "A cowboy comedy starring John Lehnberg"

Director: Carl Louis Gregory

Cameraman: Carl Louis Gregory

Cast: John Lehnberg (the would-be cowboy), Boyd Marshall, Mayre Hall (See Note 2.)

Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado (especially the Garden of the Gods Park), as part of a trip which included visits to Yellowstone Park and the states of Wyoming and Colorado. Colorado Springs was not in 1914, nor was it ever, a "Wild West" town; rather, it was considered to be the cultural center of the state.

Notes: 1. A half-page illustrated advertisement for the film in November 21, 1914 issue of Reel Life shows John Lehnberg holding his new cowboy outfit, but does not mention Lehnberg at all! The advertisement reads: "'The Wild, Wooly West' - A Rattling Comedy with Plenty of Swift Action - with BOYD MARSHALL, MAYRE HALL and the PRINCESS PLAYERS PERFECT." 2. It is probable that neither Boyd Marshall nor Mayre Hall were in any scenes filmed in Colorado, for it is believed that they did not go with Mignon Anderson, Morris Foster, John Lehnberg, and other Thanhouser players on their trip to the West in the summer of 1914.

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, November 21, 1914:

"Cy Perkins does not love his job on the farm. He puts in every minute he can steal from work reading five-cent novels of the Wild and Wooly West. At last he sends to a Chicago catalogue house for a full set of cowboy regalia, and, taking his savings, buys a ticket for Colorado Springs. On arriving, he is surprised to find that the town is more up-to-date than many eastern cities he has visited. His costume is eyed by people on the street, and the hotel keepers rob him of his cash. At last penniless, he does not know what to do - when he runs into a man who is looking for help on his farm. Cy is so overjoyed to find himself back on the familiar job, that he kisses the first cow he meets on his employer's place."

REVIEW, The Morning Telegraph, November 22, 1914:

"Cy tires of work on the farm. He rigs himself up in cowboy regalia and sets out for Colorado Springs. When he arrives he finds it more up-to-date than any city he has ever seen. He is guyed about his costume and when the chance offers to get a job on a farm he jumps at it."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, December 12, 1914:

"This is a sort of 'see Colorado first' offering. The story is almost nil, but it has some fine views of the Garden of the Gods and other points. The photography is clear and good."

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