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Ruth Elder Remembered
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Sydney Crabaugh
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REWingedHorseman
1 2017-12-09T08:42:39-08:00 Sydney Crabaugh a3dde96248534ca655d53a0f5179f40e656ee371 27674 1 http://www.westernclippings.com/images/treasures/wt81_hootandlady.jpg plain 2017-12-09T08:42:40-08:00 Sydney Crabaugh a3dde96248534ca655d53a0f5179f40e656ee371This page is referenced by:
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Ruth Elder Films
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Elder's film career was rather brief. She was featured in two films, Moran of the Marines (1928) and The Winged Horseman, (1929) both of which are unfortunately lost. From images and synopses of the films, it is fair to say that Elder played a similar character that was strong, independent, and existing in the action/adventure realm while still remaining feminine. Her first film was with Paramount Pictures, where she was alongside actor Richard Dix.
Plot Summary of Moran of the Marines, provided by Turner Classic Movies:
After getting into a fight with a drunkard, Mike Moran (Richard Dix) spends 10 days on the rock pile and is disinherited by his wealthy uncle; out of luck and work, Mike joins the Marines and is soon court-martialed for kissing Vivian Marshall (Ruth Elder), a general's daughter. Mike's unit is ordered to China, and Mike goes along under guard. Vivian accompanies her father and is captured by a Chinese bandit; Mike rescues her and is himself taken prisoner. Vivian leads a Marine detachment to his rescue, and Mike is quickly pardoned, reinstated by his uncle, and firmly established in Vivian's affections.
The film was met with moderate success, and she went on to do a second film with Universal Studios, The Winged Horseman. This film is a rather unconventional Western, and once again Elder plays the daughter who is whisked away on adventure.
Plot Summary of The Winged Horseman, provided by Turner Classic Movies:
Colonel Hobson's ranch is bombed by a mysterious plane, and Texas Ranger Skyball Smith (Hoot Gibson) is sent to investigate. Arriving at the ranch on a motorcycle, Skyball is taken for a dude, but he wins the respect of the cowboys when he heads off a stampede by using his motorcycle. Skyball discovers that Davis, the ranch foreman, is behind the bombing, and Davis kidnaps Joby (Ruth Elder), the rancher's beautiful daughter, taking her off in an airplane; Skyball follows in another airplane. Skyball's machine catches fire, and he parachutes to earth. Joby wrests the controls of the other airplane from Davis, and they too must jump. Skyball captures Davis and wins Joby's love.
Unfortunately, the bizarre storyline did not pay off. This review from Photoplay reads: "Curses be on Lindbergh's head for making airplanes so popular. He's gone and ruined the old fashioned Western. Here's Hoot Gibson giving up his horse and chaps for these new fangled air ships. If you like your nice, honest shoot 'em up Westerns you won't approve. The plot is vague. A lot of people float nonchalantly in the sky in parachutes. Ruth Elder is the flying gal. She looks pretty in flying togs."
