1912

Whiskey Runners - 1912 Selig - directed by Otis B. Thayer, starring William Duncan, Myrtle Stedman, Lester Cuneo, Charles Reeves, Marshall Stedman (p. 1494 Western and Frontier Film and Television Credits 1903-1995) (American Film Index 1916-1920 states it was released Aug 24, 1912 and was 1000 feet.) Internet Movie Database credits B.M. Bower as the writer?

1914

Shotgun Jones - Selig Polyscope - directed by Colin Campbell - Tom Mix & Hoot Gibson - May 1914 - Rex Theatre, Vancouver (prev. cited p. 1392 names Tom Mix but American Film Index 1908-1915 does not. It also adds Wheeler Oakman, Bessie Eyton as Helen Chester and Joseph Girard to the cast and notes it was 1000 feet and was released Apr 25, 1914)

1914

The Cherry Pickets, 1914. According to Ted Rowcliffe, The Cherry Pickers was produced by Colin Campbell, producer of most of the Sinclair-based films from Selig Polyscope. It was released 13 April 1914. Based on a play of the same name that was written by Joseph Arthur and staged in 1896, it was a popular melodrama set during the Anglo-Afghan War. It concerns the rivalry between two officers for a young woman's hand. Under Arthur's name in the credits is listed "Bertrand W. Sinclair-scenario". The cast included Wheeler Oakman, Gordon Sackville, Frank Clark, Jack MacDonald, William Elmer, Al W. Filson and Art Accord.

1917

Big Timber - 1917 - purchased by Fox who merged with Bosworth Films, presented by Paramount - directed by William Desmond Taylor (one of the biggest names in Hollywood) - Wallace Reid (one of the biggest names in Hollywood) as Jack Fife , Kathlyn Williams as Stella Benton, Alfred Paget as Charlie Benton, John Burton, Joe King as Walter Monohan, Helen Bray as Linda Abbey, Florence Vidor - It played at the Rex theatre in Vancouver August 23-25, 1917 - released July 14, 1917. AFI Silent Films says: "Because she has lost both her voice and her wealth after the death of her father, Stella Benton goes to live with her brother Charles at his lumber camp. Struggling to make a living, Charles appoints his sister to cook for the hundred lumberjacks in the camp. Woefully overworked, Stella accepts the marriage proposal of neighboring lumberman Jack Fyfe, even though she does not love him. A child is born out of the loveless marriage and the couple is reasonably happy until Walter Monahan, a wealthy lumberman, begins to court Stella. After the death of her child, Stella leaves Fyfe and returns to the stage as a concert singer. Meanwhile, Monahan, jealous of Fyfe's success, sets fire to his holdings. Hearing of her husband's misfortune, Stella immediately returns to the lumber camp where she offers Fyfe her own money to rebuild his losses. As the couple embrace, it begins to rain and Fyfe's holdings, as well as his marriage, are saved.

1917

North of 53 - 1917 - Fox 5 reel - 60 minutes - directed by Richard Stanton and William Desmond Taylor. Dustin Farnum as Roarin' Bill Wagstaff, Winnifred Kingston as Hazel Weir, William Conklin as Andrew Bush, Rex Downs as Joe Brooks, Frank Lanning as Nig Giroux, Edward Alexander, Jack Nelson - Writing credits - Gardner Hunting, Bertrand Sinclair (story). American Film Index 1916-1920 states it was released Oct 6, 1917 while AFI says 23 Sept 1917. A Guide to the Silent Westerns notes "Dustin Farnum as a prospector avenges his partner's murder and finds love in the snow country in this northwest drama. Winifred Kingston, who appeared as the female lead in numerous silent films, provides the romantic interest." AFI Silent Films says "Roaring" Bill Wagstaff's troubles begin when he finds his partner, Joe Brooks, murdered in the snow. A ray of sunshine enters his life soon after though, with the arrival of Hazel Weir who has come West to teach, but finds herself lost in the woods outside the town of Cariboo Meadows. Bill discovers her and under the guise of leading her to town, takes her to his cabin where he declares his love. Hazel, who is smarting from unfair accusations of scandal, rejects Bill's offer and leaves for Cariboo Meadows. Later, Bill learns of Hazel's problems and rushes to town to confirm his faith in her. En route, he stops at a saloon where he sees his dead partner's snowshoes leaning against a wall. At the point of a gun, he extracts the name of Joe's killer from the saloon keeper and then sets out after the man, Nig Geroux. After avenging his partner's death, Bill finds Hazel, who finally accepts his love.

1921

The Raiders - Canyon Pictures Corporation-based on the story The Whiskey Runners - 1921. Directed by Nate Watt; Franklyn Farnum as Pvt. Fitzgerald RCMP, Bud Osborne as Pvt Herrick, Vester Pegg as Bob Thiele and Clair Windsor as 'Honey' Moore. Also Frederick Soultas as 'Big' Moore, H. Abbott as Oscar Nelson, J.K. Van Buren as Dave Moore, John Hatfield (III)as Hank Nelson, Luella Maxim. Writing credits Bertrand W. Sinclair (story), William Wing.(A Guide to the Silent Westerns notes that Canyon only made westerns and only in 1921 pxxii). AFI Silents Fims says it was released in May 1921 and says, "Northwest Mounted Policemen Fitzgerald and Herrick, who are later joined by Indian guide Uncas, have been detailed to track down a gang of whisky-runners. They stop at a farm operated by "Big" Moore; and there Fitzgerald attracts Moore's daughter, "Honey," who has grown distrustful of her childhood sweetheart, Bob Thiele. The Mounties track the smugglers to their lair and rout them; but afterwards, Herrick is killed by a mysterious shot aimed at Fitzgerald. Uncas investigates and finds a clue pointing to Honey's brother Dave. Thiele, however, is revealed as the true murderer and the leader of the smugglers. Thiele defeats Fitzgerald in a fight and is about to shoot him when he is struck dead by lightning. Fitzgerald reports back to headquarters but returns to claim Honey as his bride.

In several of the above instances, the story line has been changed substantially from the written word to the film.

-- information provided by Ted Rowcliffe, April, 2004