Rough Romance
Encyclopedia
Rough Romance is a 1930
American
adventure film
western directed by A.F. Erickson. The film starred George O'Brien, Helen Chandler
, Antonio Moreno
, Roy Stewart
, and Harry Cording
and a 23-year old John Wayne
had a minor uncredited role.
) spy two men stealing furs from a trap, but they arrive too late to save the trap owner from being shot. Billy suspects Loup LaTour (Antonio Moreno
) and his partner Chick Carson (Harry Cording
).
While Marna Reynolds (Helen Chandler
) dreams of dances and pick chiffon dresses, her father (David Hartford) is being forced to purchase stolen furs from LaTour and Carson, and LaTour is throwing a few lecherous glances toward Marna. Billy, in a card game, catches LaTour cheating and also suggests he suspects him of theft and murder before further violence is stopped by the sheriff. Billy and Laramie are ambushed and Billy is shot in the shoulder, but kills Carson. Laramie takes Billy to the Reynolds trading post, where Marna ministers to his wound. LaTour convinces the sheriff that Billy murdered Carson and the sheriff is led on a dogsled chase by Laramie.
LaTour returns to the post with intentions of changing his lecherous glances into lecherous action, and the weakened Billy struggles with LaTour as Marna races toward the log-jammed river.
1930 in film
-Events:* November 1: The Big Trail featuring a young John Wayne in his first starring role is released in both 35mm, and a very early form of 70mm film and was the first large scale big-budget film of the sound era costing over $2 million. The film was praised for its aesthetic quality and realism...
American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
adventure film
Adventure film
Adventure films are a genre of film.Unlike pure, low-budget action films they often use their action scenes preferably to display and explore exotic locations in an energetic way....
western directed by A.F. Erickson. The film starred George O'Brien, Helen Chandler
Helen Chandler
Helen Chandler was an American film and theater actress.-Career:Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Chandler began her acting career in New York at the age of nine and was on Broadway two years later in 1917...
, Antonio Moreno
Antonio Moreno
Antonio "Tony" Moreno was a notable Spanish-born American actor and film director of the silent film era and through the 1950s.- Biography :...
, Roy Stewart
Roy Stewart (silent film actor)
Roy Stewart was an American actor of the silent era. He appeared in 138 films between 1915 and 1933.He was born in San Diego, California and died in Los Angeles, California from a heart attack.-Selected filmography:...
, and Harry Cording
Harry Cording
Harry Cording was a British character actor who appeared in many Hollywood films from the 1920s to the 1950s. Due to his stocky build and imposing 6'0 height, he usually portrayed thugs and henchman to the main villain....
and a 23-year old John Wayne
John Wayne
Marion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
had a minor uncredited role.
Plot
Working as lumberjacks in the Northwest, Billy West (George O'Brien) and his pal Laramie (Eddie BordenEddie Borden
Eddie Bordon May 1, 1888 – July 1, 1955) was an American film actor who started in vaudeville and began appearing in films from 1921-1955.-Selected filmography:* Hold Everything * Battling Butler * Rough Romance...
) spy two men stealing furs from a trap, but they arrive too late to save the trap owner from being shot. Billy suspects Loup LaTour (Antonio Moreno
Antonio Moreno
Antonio "Tony" Moreno was a notable Spanish-born American actor and film director of the silent film era and through the 1950s.- Biography :...
) and his partner Chick Carson (Harry Cording
Harry Cording
Harry Cording was a British character actor who appeared in many Hollywood films from the 1920s to the 1950s. Due to his stocky build and imposing 6'0 height, he usually portrayed thugs and henchman to the main villain....
).
While Marna Reynolds (Helen Chandler
Helen Chandler
Helen Chandler was an American film and theater actress.-Career:Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Chandler began her acting career in New York at the age of nine and was on Broadway two years later in 1917...
) dreams of dances and pick chiffon dresses, her father (David Hartford) is being forced to purchase stolen furs from LaTour and Carson, and LaTour is throwing a few lecherous glances toward Marna. Billy, in a card game, catches LaTour cheating and also suggests he suspects him of theft and murder before further violence is stopped by the sheriff. Billy and Laramie are ambushed and Billy is shot in the shoulder, but kills Carson. Laramie takes Billy to the Reynolds trading post, where Marna ministers to his wound. LaTour convinces the sheriff that Billy murdered Carson and the sheriff is led on a dogsled chase by Laramie.
LaTour returns to the post with intentions of changing his lecherous glances into lecherous action, and the weakened Billy struggles with LaTour as Marna races toward the log-jammed river.
Cast
- George O'Brien as Billy West
- Helen ChandlerHelen ChandlerHelen Chandler was an American film and theater actress.-Career:Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Chandler began her acting career in New York at the age of nine and was on Broadway two years later in 1917...
as Marna Reynolds - Antonio MorenoAntonio MorenoAntonio "Tony" Moreno was a notable Spanish-born American actor and film director of the silent film era and through the 1950s.- Biography :...
as Loup La Tour - Roy StewartRoy Stewart (silent film actor)Roy Stewart was an American actor of the silent era. He appeared in 138 films between 1915 and 1933.He was born in San Diego, California and died in Los Angeles, California from a heart attack.-Selected filmography:...
as Sheriff Milt Powers - Harry CordingHarry CordingHarry Cording was a British character actor who appeared in many Hollywood films from the 1920s to the 1950s. Due to his stocky build and imposing 6'0 height, he usually portrayed thugs and henchman to the main villain....
as Chick Carson - David Hartford as 'Dad' Reynolds
- Noel Francis as Flossie
- Frank LanningFrank LanningFrank Lanning was an American actor of the silent era. He appeared in 84 films between 1910 and 1934.He was born in Marion, Iowa and died in Los Angeles, California.-Selected filmography:...
as Pop Nichols - John WayneJohn WayneMarion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
as Lumberjack (uncredited). While Wayne had a bit part in this film and also worked on props, he was not given a props credit as shown by some sources. If he had been, he would have been the first and only props worker given an on-film credit in 1930.