The Spoilers (1914) – A Silent Western of Gold Rush Intrigue

The Spoilers is a 1914 silent Western film directed by Colin Campbell, based on Rex Beach’s novel and play of the same name. Set in Nome, Alaska, during the 1898 Gold Rush, the story follows Roy Glenister and his partner Dextry, owners of the richest mine in the region. Their claims are threatened by a corrupt judge and his accomplice, Alex McNamara. The film culminates in a dramatic saloon fistfight between Glenister and McNamara, which became a benchmark for cinematic fight sequences. The film was a commercial success and was later remade multiple times, including versions starring Gary Cooper and John Wayne.

Credits:
Director: Colin Campbell
Producer: William Nicholas Selig
Starring: William Farnum, Kathlyn Williams, Tom Santschi
Screenplay: Lanier Bartlett
Cinematography: Harry Gerstad, Alvin Wyckoff

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