William S. Hart Classics: The Ruse/Hell's Hinges/The Toll Gate/The Bargain/The Return of Draw Egan

Hell's Hinges (1916, B&W, Silent): Reverend Robert Henley and his sister Faith arrive in the lawless frontier town of Hell's Hinges, intent on reforming its amoral citizens. Saloon keeper and deep-dyed villain Silk Miller, discredits the preacher by ordering a dance hall girl to seduce and denounce him. But Miller's former accomplice, notorious gunfighter Blaze Tracy, has fallen in love with Faith and becomes an avenging angel on her behalf. The unexpected box-office success of Hell's Hinges took William S. Hart's career to another level.

The Toll Gate (1920, B&W, Silent): Eager to retire from his life of crime after eluding the law for years, outlaw Black Deering is persuaded by fellow bandit Jordan to undertake one last train robbery. During the holdup, Deering is arrested by army troops who have been tipped-off to the raid by the treacherous Jordan. He manages to escape and flees south across the border to Jordan's own hideout and into the arms of Jordan's long-suffering wife. Black finds himself torn between his desire for revenge and his passion for the woman he loves. Long established in "good bad man" roles, pioneering Western star William S. Hart eventually found himself challenged to vary his patented characterization, lest audiences grow weary of his frontier-based morality plays. The Toll Gate (1920) was adapted from his own story, which presented its protagonist with complex moral quandaries.

The Bargain (1914, B&W, Silent): Notorious Jim Stokes, "The Two-Gun Man," is badly wounded following a botched hold-up. His unconscious body is discovered by Phil Brent, a prospector. While recovering from his wounds, Jim falls in love with Phil's lovely daughter Nell, and the two are wed. The sheriff catches wind of his whereabouts, and Jim is forced to flee from his young wife and head for the border. Although the sheriff manages to take Jim prisoner, fate intervenes and causes the two enemies to strike a terrible bargain - one that will test the mettle of both of their souls.

The Return Of Draw Egan (1916, B&W, Silent): Barely escaping a deputy's posse, notorious desperado Draw Egan flees to the town of Yellowtail. Posing as "William Blake," he convinces town reformer Matt Buckton to hire him as the new sheriff. Tough-as-nails "Blake" cleans up the town in no-time flat, all the while falling for Buckton's pretty daughter, Myrtle. Just when redemption and the chance for an honest life with a good woman seem possible, Arizona Joe, a former member of Draw Egan's gang, shows up in town with blackmail on his mind. Sheriff "Blake" must either allow Arizona Joe and his outlaw gang to bleed the town dry, or be exposed as Draw Egan, a wanted fugitive with a price on his head.