Paramount Press Books (1917)

Although one of the most willing and best-natured punchers that ever left the open range to become a "reel" cowboy, Curly Revere is not a born actor. This sad fact was brought to light when Curly, who was cast as the lieutenant of a band of outlaws led by William S. Hart, in "The Narrow Trail," which will be seen at the on was called upon to remon strate with Hart for riding his conspicuous spotted pony, Fritz. "You'll have to speak real lines," said Hart, who was rehearsing the scene with Curly. "Make the audiences understand that you are threatening me. You're angry because I ride this Pinto pony which you think will cause the capture of the gang. Try it again and we'll take the picture. Remember, you can't make it too strong I" As the camera started grinding. Curly, with a poker face and in a slow, Southwestern drawl, said: "When 'r you goin' to git rid of that Pinto hoss? You can see him fo'ty miles away. I'm sore!" One of the things which make Western photodramas starring William S. so realistic and convincing is his use of none but dyed-in-the-wool, neverbeen-curried-below-the-knee cowpunchfcrs. Thus procuring genuine characters in his supporting cast, Hart not only must plan and act his own role, but also painstakingly rehearse the parts given to these big-hearted fellows, who, although proficient in the "3R's" of the range, often are woefully lacking in screen ability. If it were not that Hart, who is a Western man and a big favorite with the punchers, knows how to overcome their natural bashfulness before teaching them the rudiments of acting, many of his pictures would be much less true to the real West in its palmy pioneer days. Hart's first offering under the Artcraft trade-mark is "The Narrow Trail," which will be seen at on It was directed by Lambert Hillyer under the supervision of the well-known producer, Thomas H. Ince. 17