Plot

The Girl, owner of the Polka Saloon, falls in love with Ramerrez, whom she later discovers to be a bandit. When a snowstorm forces Ramerrez to stay the night with The Girl, jealousy drives dancer Nina Micheltorena to reveal his identity and whereabouts to Sheriff Jack Rance, who also loves The Girl. She denies Ramerrez's presence, the bandit is shot when he tries to escape, and she once again shelters him. This time, drops of blood prove The Girl wrong, but she wins Ramerrez's and her own freedom in a poker game with the sheriff. Stirred by Nina, vigilantes are about to lynch Ramerrez when the sheriff interferes, explains his bargain, and restores him to The Girl.—AFI

The Girl runs the Polka Saloon at Cloudy Mountain. Ramerrez, the notorious bandit, arrives in town. He stops at the Polka Saloon, and dances with The Girl, who is unaware of his identity. Sheriff Jack Rance, who is in love with The Girl, wants to drive the stranger from out of town, but The Girl vouches for Ramerrez. At Ramerrez' headquarters, Nina, who is in love with Ramerrez, learns of his interest in The Girl. Furious, she brings a photograph to Vance, revealing the outlaw's identity. Meanwhile, Ramerrez is dining at The Girl's cottage, and is forced to take shelter there when a storm arises. A posse arrive, to make sure The Girl is safe. While Ramerrez hides, he overhears them tell The Girl whom he really is. After they leave, Ramerrez admits the truth to The Girl. He leaves, but is shot by Vance, who had been stalking him. Ramerrez staggers back to the cabin, where The Girl conceals him in a loft on the second floor. Rance arrives at the cabin, and The Girl denies that the outlaw is there. Rance is about to depart when a drop of blood hits his hand, revealing Ramerrez' hiding place. The Girl and Rance then gamble at cards for the outlaw's fate; if The Girl loses, she will marry Rance, but if she wins, Rance will free Ramerrez. The Girl wins, and Rance upholds his end of the bargain. Nina tells the posse where Ramerrez is. When he tries to escape, they capture him and plan to lynch him near the Polka Saloon. The Girl heads for the Saloon, where she confronts Nina. Then she learns that Ramerrez has told everyone about the gamble and how Rance agreed to the deal. Ramerrez is set free.



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The stills below could not be placed in context. In the first, the background was painted on glass:

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The next still suggests a holdup:

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The story was filmed earlier as a silent, and then there were two sound versions. The silent version, from 1915, was directed by C. B. DeMille and is held in several archives. The first sound version featured Ann Harding, and is presumed lost. The later version showcases Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, and shows up on TCM from time to time. Although the film was based upon a stage play by David Belasco, the story is based upon Puccini's opera of the same name. I've seen the opera (performed by The Met), but none of the film versions.

Reviews were generally positive. Motion Picture News called the film "about as good a western as has marked the screen in some time." The Film Daily wrote "Carewe has supplied an excellent production besides manipulating the story to hold the interest all the way, even in spite of the anti-climax which, ordinarily, would tend to cause a break in it. The exteriors are very fine and the photography of a high order." Moving Picture World singled out Russell Simpson's performance, noting "among the fine individual performances none is more effective than Russell Simpson's characterization of the sheriff - a part which he made popular on the stage as well. He wrests the full entertainment value from the character of the stalwart gambler with a strain of unconscious humor and pathos in his make-up." Exhibitor's Herald wrote "here is an exceptionally interesting drama of the West, beautifully and carefully staged and very well acted," adding "the perfect detail of the production, the superb acting and the dramatic grip of the story, holds one's attention up to the last moment without a let-down in the dramatic tension." Only Photoplay was negative, calling the film "disappointing," and noting "Sylvia Breamer certainly is not the self-reliant girl of the Polka saloon. Warren Kerrigan lacks force as the heroic road agent. Evidently the difficulties of casting this revival seriously handicapped the director."Image

The Girl of the Golden West, directed by Edwin Carewe, starred Sylvia Breamer as The Girl, J. Warren Kerrigan as Ramerrez, Russell Simpson as Jack Rance, and Rosemary Theby as Nina. The film was released in May of 1923 at seven reels, and is presumed lost.

Plot: The Girl runs the Polka Saloon at Cloudy Mountain.

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Ramerrez, the notorious bandit, arrives in town.

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He stops at the Polka Saloon, and dances with The Girl, who is unaware of his identity.

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Sheriff Jack Rance, who is in love with The Girl, wants to drive the stranger from out of town, but The Girl vouches for Ramerrez.

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At Ramerrez' headquarters, Nina, who is in love with Ramerrez, learns of his interest in The Girl. Furious, she brings a photograph to Vance, revealing the outlaw's identity. Meanwhile, Ramerrez is dining at The Girl's cottage, and is forced to take shelter there when a storm arises. A posse arrive, to make sure The Girl is safe.

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While Ramerrez hides, he overhears them tell The Girl whom he really is. After they leave, Ramerrez admits the truth to The Girl.

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He leaves, but is shot by Vance, who had been stalking him.

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Ramerrez staggers back to the cabin, where The Girl conceals him in a loft on the second floor. Rance arrives at the cabin, and The Girl denies that the outlaw is there. Rance is about to depart when a drop of blood hits his hand, revealing Ramerrez' hiding place. The Girl and Rance then gamble at cards for the outlaw's fate; if The Girl loses, she will marry Rance, but if she wins, Rance will free Ramerrez.

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The Girl wins, and Rance upholds his end of the bargain. Nina tells the posse where Ramerrez is. When he tries to escape, they capture him and plan to lynch him near the Polka Saloon.

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The Girl heads for the Saloon, where she confronts Nina.

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Then she learns that Ramerrez has told everyone about the gamble and how Rance agreed to the deal. Ramerrez is set free.