The photography is the thing in this magnificently photographed, short and satisfying silent film. From the beauty of the desert vista where two young sisters (Jane Novak and teen era child actress Thelma Salter) watch their father die on the desert floor, then trek via covered wagon to the nearest town alone, a frontier town and saloon, threadbare and stark against the prairie sky, to the smoke from a cigar wafting around the face of William S. Hart as it fills the screen - this film is a real visual experience more than compelling story, you can really feel the Old West here - it's a real treat to see on a big screen.

Hart plays "Selfish" Yates, a man with a motto "Me first, me second, me to the end", and "Never do for anyone but yourself". He has a young protégée named Hotfoot, abandoned son of a dance hall girl, who is being taught the ropes by Yates, but with the two pretty sisters in town, it just may be only a matter of time before Yates and Hotfoot get tamed of their selfish ways!

I found this film to be quite good, I always enjoy the performances of William S. Hart, his face and eyes are so expressive, perfect for the silent screen. Jane Novak's appeal in this is more visual than any great acting quality - her big-eyed, pretty young face standing in contrast next to the sun-worn face of Hart. The print I saw of this looked gorgeous, mostly tinted a bright yellow/sepia tone. Well worth seeing.

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

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The Western genre features stories set primarily in the 19th-century American Old West and often depict the rugged frontier life, exploring themes of individualism, justice, morality, and the clash between civilization and the untamed wilderness. The genre has its roots in the historical context of westward expansion and the challenges faced by pioneers, settlers, outlaws, and lawmen.

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"Selfish" Yates operates a disreputable saloon on the desert's edge in Arizona. Sisters Mary and Betty Adams, who lost their father crossing the desert, arrive in the town of Thirsty Center and appeal to Yates for help and work. Yates is none too helpful, suggesting dance-hall work for Mary. She refuses, instead taking a menial job assisting Yates' cook. Yates is a hard case, but little by little Mary's influence works a renewal of humanity in him, until at last he finds himself tested by crisis.

William S. Hart and Jane Novak in Selfish Yates (1918)

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William S. Hart, Jane Novak, and Thelma Salter in Selfish Yates (1918)

Ernest Butterworth, William S. Hart, Jane Novak, and Thelma Salter in Selfish Yates (1918)

Selfish Yates

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