THE PONY EXPRESS
starring Betty Compson, Ricardo Cortez, Wallace Beery and George
Bancroft
MOTION PICTURE MAGAZINE
December, 1925
History stalks across the screen again in the picturization
of the West of the days when California was isolated from the
Union. When it comes to painting it in all its romantic glamour,
James Cruze of "Covered Wagon" fame is the right man
for the job. He covers himself with glory in animating it with
vigorous action, in giving it one thrill after another and saturating
it with atmosphere. The picture's flaws may be attributed to
its series of counterplots, for it seems as if a complete story
could be woven around each important character. Another error
is its length, it being expanded considerably beyond the point
where the story logically ends. Nevertheless, it is a highly
interesting picture with its graphic depiction of romance and
history in the West. Ricardo Cortez plays the express rider with
good feeling, while Wallace Beery and George Bancroft enact their
roles with commendable vigor.
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