The Virginian

1929
Passed
1h 31m

IMDb RATING

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Gary Cooper and Mary Brian in The Virginian (1929)

A good-natured cowboy who is romancing the new schoolmarm has a crisis of conscience when he discovers that his best friend is engaged in cattle rustling.A good-natured cowboy who is romancing the new schoolmarm has a crisis of conscience when he discovers that his best friend is engaged in cattle rustling.A good-natured cowboy who is romancing the new schoolmarm has a crisis of conscience when he discovers that his best friend is engaged in cattle rustling.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

889

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 3 wins total

Photos17

+ 10

Top cast41

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Gary Cooper

The Virginian

Walter Huston

Trampas

Mary Brian

Molly Stark Wood

Richard Arlen

Steve

Helen Ware

Mrs. Taylor

Chester Conklin

Uncle Hughey

Eugene Pallette

'Honey' Wiggin

Victor Potel

Nebrasky

E.H. Calvert

Judge Henry

Ernie Adams

Saloon Singer
(uncredited)
…

Sherwood Bailey

Little Boy
(uncredited)

Earl Gordon Bostwick

Minor Role
(uncredited)

Barbara Boudwin

Student
(uncredited)

Ed Brady

Greasy
(uncredited)

Fred Burns

Fred
(uncredited)

Billy Butts

Little Boy
(uncredited)

George Chandler

Bug Ears
(uncredited)

Ginger Connolly

Little Boy
(uncredited)

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Gary Cooper's first all-talking film. He felt that sound would ruin him, believing his voice was not adequate to the task. This film turned him from a promising young leading man into a star, although he was not considered a superstar until Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936).

Goofs
When the posse spots the rustlers, The Virginian says that the posse will split into three parties, then splits them only in two.

Quotes
Trampas: Well, who's talkin' to you?
The Virginian: I'm talkin' to you, Trampas!
Trampas: When I want to know anything from you, I'll tell ya, you long-legged son-of-a -...
The Virginian: [Trampas stops talking abruptly as the Virginian's pistol is pressed against his abdomen] If you want to call me that, smile!
Trampas: With a gun against my belly, I - I always smile!
[He grins broadly]

Alternate versions
This movie was also issued in a silent version, with film length of 2257.65 meters.

Connections
Featured in Born to the West (1937)

Soundtracks
Pop! Goes the Weasel
(uncredited)
A 17th-century English children's song
Played at the dance

User reviews19

Review

Featured review

6/10

The Virginian (1929)

Directed by Victor Fleming. Starring Gary Cooper, Mary Brian, Walter Huston, Richard Arlen, Eugene Pallette, Chester Conklin, Helen Ware, E.H. Calvert, Victor Potel.

Virginia-born cowhand Cooper woos schoolmarm Brian in small Wyoming town, tangles with roughneck outlaw Huston. First talkie for both Cooper and director Fleming, adapted from the book of the same name (considered one of the first true western novels), which had already been turned into a play and a pair of silent movie versions. Cooper struggles with the accent, but cuts an upright, stoic figure even this early in his career; Huston is barely recognizable but makes the grade as an appropriately hissable black-hat. Uneven pacing in the first half, including a few obvious instances of padding (such as the baby-swapping prank), gives way to more compelling later episodes, including a harrowing resolution to a difficult decision the protagonist makes in regard to some cattle rustlers. Even in its restored format, the picture and sound quality of current prints is somewhat lacking, but the movie is still a worth a watch for anyone who enjoys old-timey oaters.

62/100