The Vanishing American (1925)

A Masterpiece!

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

The star of this film, Richard Dix, doesn't actually appear until half an hour in, the first quarter of this film version of Zane Grey's book comprising a superbly photographed prologue set in Monument Valley introducing us to various settlers over the centuries, starting with a couple of VERY early humans resembling those at the start of '2001', later followed by cave-dwellers spectacularly laid siege to by Indians in the film's most visually impressive sequence (the first of several staged with great use of mass formations by serial king George B. Seitz). The Indians in their turn come to grief at the hands of the conquistadores in 1540 and three hundred years later, Kit Carson. All this happens in the first half hour!!The films then unfortunately slows down considerably, as Dix and various others have their eye caught by comely schoolteacher Lois Wilson, of whom dastardly Noah Beery serves to personalise - and thus deflect responsibility from - white America's subjugation of the indians, including seizing their land while they were away serving Uncle Sam on the Somme. Actually, as Britain's example shows, veterans of The Great War from whatever background were prettily shabbily treated once their usefulness was at an end.

Another famous western which still excites audiences today is George B. Seitz's The Vanishing American. Although he is chiefly remembered as the perennial director of M-G-M's Andy Hardy series, back in the 1920s Seitz was a top Hollywood hand who specialized in action and location spectacles such as this 1925 version of the famous Zane Grey novel. Admittedly, Richard Dix proves not over-convincing as the Indian hero of the title, but he does well enough, and the rest of the players led by particularly villainous Noah Beery and the lovely Lois Wilson offer engaging support. The name, Lucien Hubbard, on a film (either as writer or producer) always guarantees loads of production values. This film with its impressive locations and hordes of extras is most certainly no exception. (Available on a superb 10/10 Image DVD).

Film adaptation of Zane Grey's western story "The Vanishing American"; once upon a time; this was considered a very sympathetic "History of the Indian Race". Presently, it's worth is much more subjective; it would be entirely appropriate for modern viewers to take offensive, especially Native Americans.The film's highlight is the opening prologue; for its time, a very nicely researched, and extraordinarily photographed, history of Native Americans. Edgar Schoenbaum and Harry Perry are the cinematographers capturing Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon, and other places looking exquisitely beautiful. Some of the footage seems excitingly authentic, for example, the "Cliff Dwellers" segments.As the film jumps to the present, Richard Dix (as Nophaie the Warrior) emerges as the "hero"; arguably, he neither looks nor acts like a real Native American. The "epic" story becomes a decidedly more boring tale involving horse thief Noah Berry (as Booker). There is a lovely white woman, of course, to turn Dix' head; she's Lois Wilson (as Marion Warner). Ms. Wilson also converts Mr. Dix to Christianity; and, he is certainly not a hard sell. ***** The Vanishing American (10/15/25) George B. Seitz ~ Richard Dix, Lois Wilson, Noah Berry

A great epic. The proof that George B. Seitz was a great director. A very fine cast. Dix and Wilson are outstanding. The story takes you from the time of the dinosaurs to our days in a very convincing way.