The Rattler (1925) DVD-R

Produced by a fly-by-night company called Ermine Prod. and directed by veteran character actor Paul Hurst, this modest silent Western told of a star-crossed romance between the daughter of a rancher and one of her father's workers. Despite Arline's (Alma Rayford) love for Chick McGuire (Jack Mower), her father demands that she marry Easter fop Cecil Aubrey (William Buckley). Aubrey doesn't take kindly to Arline's refusal to comply and kidnaps both the girl and Chick with the help of hated sheep rancher Blink Dudley (Vester Pegg). The latter quickly takes the upper hand, and with Chick bound and gagged, Blink performs an unholy "wedding" ceremony for Arline and Cecil. Chick later manages to free himself and chases the evil Blink into the desert. It looks for a while like Blink has his enemy cornered at a poisoned waterhole, but Chick, imitating a rattler, manages to shoot the villain in the arm. Returning to the ranch with his prisoner, Chick can watch with satisfaction as Cecil is sent back East in disgrace.