Three Word Brand (1921)

Director:

Lambert Hillyer

Writers:

Lambert Hillyer (adaptation)
Will Reynolds (story)

Release Date:

16 October 1921 (USA)

Genre:

Western

Plot:

Ben Trego dies defending his twin sons from Indian attack. Separated, the two boys grow up very differently...

Plot Keywords:

Utah | Water Rights

Cast

William S. Hart	...	Three Word Brand / Gov. Marsden / Ben Trego
Jane Novak	...	Ethel Barton
S.J. Bingham	...	George Barton
J. Gordon Russell	...	Bull Yeates (as Gordon Russell)
Ivor McFadden	...	Solly
Herschel Mayall	...	Carrol
Collette Forbes	...	Jean
George C. Pearce	...	John Murray
Leo Willis	...	McCabe

Runtime:

68 min

Country:

USA

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Silent

Filming Locations:

Iverson Ranch, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

William S. Hart Productions

Trivia:

Reels 1 and 2 of this film survive at the UCLA Film and Television Archives, in original nitrate form, reels 3 and 4 were discarded for unknown reasons and their catalogue does not state why.

Let There Be L7

In the old west, home-seeker William S. Hart (as Ben Trego) finds a dreamy spot to build, for himself and his twin boys. Unfortunately, there are savage Indians (aka Native Americans) around; obviously, they haven't studied "manifest destiny". To protect his motherless sons from Indians, Mr. Hart blows himself up. Although Hart's pioneer-man is eventually memorialized ("Trego County", "Trego Valley"); his twins are separated, after being sent to an orphanage. They grow up to be William S. Hart (in two additional roles, as Bill Brand and Paul Marsden).

Hart as "Bill Brand" is a rancher; he is affectingly called "Three Word Brand", due to his economy with words. Hart as "Paul Marsden" is the newly elected Governor of Utah. Rancher Hart and partner S.J. Bingham (as George Barton) find the "L7" ranch threatened by nasty neighbor Gordon Russell (as Bull Yeates). Mr. Russell frames Mr. Bingham for murder; and plots to take the "L7" from Hart. Russell's lovely young sister, Jan Novak (as Ethel Barton), is Hart's romantic interest.

It's nice to see Hart in a dual role (not counting his fatherly introduction); however, "Three Word Brand" doesn't really take advantage of its dramatic possibilities. Hart's characterizations are surprisingly one-dimensional for an actor who played "good/bad" duality so memorably; but, the script doesn't offer him much opportunity. Hart's highlights occurs later in the film, when his simple Rancher twin ("Brand") impersonates the more sophisticated Governor twin ("Marsden"). It's nicely photographed, and mostly enjoyable, despite a certain lack of excitement.