Tracy the Outlaw

TRACY THE OUTLAW (Foto-Art Studios, 1928) directed by Otis B. Thayer is a silent western based on the then legendary story of Harry Tracy (1875-1902). Distributed by C. John Predari, 723 Seventh Avenue, New York City, and taken from the play by Pierce Kingsley, aside from the title character virtually unknown to film history, so is this 70-minute production.

FORWARD: "Thirty years ago - fate changed a fun-loving and reckless westerner into an outlaw - in the flash of a gamblers gun. Misfortune made Harry Tracy a killer." The story opens with Harry Tracy (Jack Hoey), a drifter cowboy out of a job and broke. With the help of his good friend, Billy Weston (Howard Chandler), Tracy obtains work as a hired hand at the Gallagher ranch. While in San Antonio, Texas, Tracy goes in a game of cards with a man he discovers to be cheating. A fight ensues. The cheater's gun goes off, killing him. Harry is accused and sent off to jail. He later escapes jail with another prisoner, Dave Merrill (Jean LaRue), heading for the state line. When a paymaster is robbed and killed by a couple of bandits, Tracy, who happens to be found with the postmaster's saddlebag strap inside his pocket, is arrested. Even though the robbery was witnessed by a boy hiding up a tree, claiming the arrested man is innocent, he's not believed by the sheriff. With the help of Mary Merrill (Dorris Chadwick), who discovers Dave is not her real brother, Tracy escapes an angry lynch mob but not his reputation as "Tracy the Outlaw."

Although TRACY THE OUTLAW is not produced by a major studio as Fox, Paramount or Universal using top-name movie cowboys as Fred Thompson, Tom Mix or Buck Jones, the four actors listed in the casting credits are unknowns who remain unknowns. All other actors in support go uncredited. Had this been a major 90-minute production, possibly TRACY THE OUTLAW would have turned into one of the classics of the silent screen. The name of Harry Tracy might have been as known as other cowboy legends as Jesse James, Billy the Kid or Wyatt Earp. Although the Harry Tracy character never became a major subject matter talkie western of the 1930s or 40s, he did turn up again decades later for the 1982 adaptation of HARRY TRACY - DESPERADO starring Bruce Dern.

Reportedly on DVD from distributors of public domain titles, this is one movie I never knew existed until I accidentally came across it on MGM-Plus on-demand cable channel. Even though the story in itself has possibilities, benefitting from fine location scenery and action scenes, the print viewed was mute, having no underscoring whatsoever, making this more unpleasant viewing than watching a scratchy print with acid stains. At least after all these years, it's available for viewing. I'll give it that. (**)

A foreword tells the tale: "Thirty years ago - fate changed a fun-loving, reckless westerner into an outlaw - in the flash of a gamblers (sic) gun. Misfortune made Harry Tracy a killer - circumstance forced him to death by his own hand - at the climax of the greatest man hunt in history!" That's about as exciting as it gets. Harry Tracy was a real outlaw, and this film is a heroic glorification of his criminal "life". If it had been better presented, the Harry Tracy name might have been as well-remembered as peers like Jesse James.

Along with the foreword storyline, you have Jack Hoey (as Harry Tracy) palling around with cell-mate Jean LaRue (as Dave Merrill). After they break out of jail, Mr. Hoey falls in love with Mr. LaRue's sister Dorris Chadwick (as Mary Merrill). Later on, LaRue finds out his sister was really adopted; then, he reveals he desires Ms. Chadwick for himself. She obviously still considers it incest, and is repulsed. A better pal, Howard Chandler (as Billy Weston), returns to help Hoey.

Directed by Otis B. Thayer, "Tracy the Outlaw" has some nice scenery. Otherwise, it's just plain dull.

** Tracy the Outlaw (1928) Otis B. Thayer ~ Jack Hoey, Dorris Chadwick, Jean LaRue