The Toll Gate (1920)

After being betrayed to the law by one of his henchmen, a bandit leader seeks to avenge himself.

Director:

Lambert Hillyer

Writer:

Lambert Hillyer

Stars:

William S. Hart, Anna Q. Nilsson, Joseph Singleton

Cast

Complete credited cast:
William S. Hart	...	Black Deering
Anna Q. Nilsson	...	Mary Brown
Joseph Singleton	...	Tom Jordan
Jack Richardson	...	The Sheriff
Richard Headrick	...	The Little Feller (as Master Richard Headrick)

Storyline

Outlaw Black Deering leads a band of desperadoes, but decides to give up the bandit life. Agreeing to go on one last job with his gang, he is captured when his henchman Jordan betrays the gang for the reward. Deering escapes and determines to avenge himself on Jordan.

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Plot Keywords:

damsel in distress | henchman | held at gunpoint | deception | double cross | 

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Taglines:

"SHERIFF, SOME OF YOUR MEN ARE SURROUNDED BY JORDAN AND HIS MEXICANS" (original lobby card-all caps)

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Western

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 April 1920 (USA)

Also Known As:

A vámsorompó

Filming Locations:

Sonora, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

William S. Hart Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

73 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White (tinted)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Black Deering: Horse, we gotta move again. That sheriff's sure an Indian for trailin'.

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Connections

Featured in Golden Saddles, Silver Spurs (2000)

User Reviews

White Men Can't Jump

In a western cave, white William S. Hart (as Black Deering), leader of the outlaw Raiders, feels the law crashing in on his gang's crime spree. Fellow bandit Joseph Singleton (as Tom Jordan) thinks Mr. Hart is chicken, and goads his rival and the gang into one more heist. Of course, as Hart feared, things go all wrong. Later, on the lam from both Jordan and the law, Hart hides out with lonely white Anna Q. Nilsson (as Mary Brown). Ms. Nilsson is living alone with son Richard Headrick (as "The Little Feller"), since the disappearance of her husband…

"The Toll Gate" delivers the expected Hart western elements; however, they do not coalesce. It's a little unpleasant to start off with Hart disarmed by his gang's "mutiny", but nice to see him tough it out. Watch for a pivotal scene wherein Hart opens Nilsson's Bible: in it, he reads the verse "By their fruits ye shall know them" and locates a photograph which reveals something important about the film. The "by their fruits" theme is completely illogical if you think about the photograph. Also, Hart's cabin revelation is rather foolishly timed; obviously, it should have been made some minutes later (relating it more to Singleton's threat).

****** The Toll Gate (4/15/20) Lambert Hillyer ~ William S. Hart, Anna Q. Nilsson, Joseph Singleton