Something New (1920)

Directors:

Nell Shipman
Bert Van Tuyle

Writers:

Nell Shipman (written by) and
Bert Van Tuyle (written by)

Release Date:

October 1920 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure

Plot:

A young woman visiting in Mexico is kidnapped by a gang of bandits, who drag her through the rugged wilderness to their hideout...

Plot Keywords:

Rescue | Bandit | Mexico | Horse | Escape

Cast

Nell Shipman	...	A Young Woman Writer
Bert Van Tuyle	...	Bill Baxter, the Hero
L.M. Wells	...	Sid Bickley
Merrill McCormick	...	Agrilla Gorgez, the Bandit (as William McCormick)

Runtime:

57 min (restored version)

Country:

USA

Color:

Black and White (tinted)

Sound Mix:

Silent

Certification:

USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park - 200 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, California, USA

Interesting

One does wonder if in fact, the Maxwell Moror Car Company, might have financed this film, because it is a terrific commercial for that brand. Basically, the plot concerns the typical rescue theme, but there are bits that are historically engaging. Nell Shipman is not your ordinary passive heroine -- no, when she shoots a Mexican bandit, she comments: "well that takes care of one." What is interesting to me was the long automobile trek over a western desert, and to see how well this 1920 Maxwell car could handle ditches and boulders. Today, only the likes to a Toyoda Land Cruser, Land Rover or that type of auto could do it. Of course, the cars of that vintage were made with a very high ground clearance to handle unpaved country roads; which was the norm of the times. The film is primitive, but not boring. For those who are students of, or just enjoy early silent films, check it out.