When a gang of outlaws put Andy Clyde's ranch house under siege, daughter Alice Day recruits college heart throb Ralph Graves to save daddy. Can even Tiny Ward beat bad man Vernon Dent in this funny Mack Sennett comedy? 

Ralph Graves was a straight dramatic actor whom Sennett hired for a few seasons to fill out his comedies with someone who could actually be a romantic lead, while the comics did funny things around him. Later, he went back into straight drama, doing adventure movies for Frank Capra -- who was an uncredited gag writer on this one.

Like many of Sennett's farces, the title is intended as little more than a place holder: this is set out west, so we'll give it a title that suggests that Tom Mix movie. The gag writing is wonderful, and the best performance is by Vernon Dent, who had an ability to show anger that was at once deadly serious and very funny. He was a fine comic actor who was welcomed by many shorts producers through the end of his life.

The slapstick comedy subgenre, a term that originates from a type of wooden paddle with a hinged flap that was used in early comedic performances to create slapping noises during comedic actions, is a form of physical comedy characterized by exaggerated, boisterous, and often absurd actions, situations, and physical interactions. Slapstick humor relies on visual gags, physical stunts, and exaggerated movements to create laughs.

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The comedy genre refers to a category of entertainment that aims to amuse and entertain audiences by using humor, wit, and comedic situations. Comedies are created with the primary intention of eliciting laughter and providing lighthearted enjoyment. They encompass a wide range of styles, tones, and themes, appealing to various tastes and audiences.

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The short form refers to creative works characterized by their brevity and concise storytelling. Unlike full-length feature films, short films have a running time of less than 45 minutes, while TV shorts have a running time of less than 22 minutes.

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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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Ralph is the tenderfoot sweetheart of the daughter of a ranch owner who is being put out of his ranch by some unmanageable cowboys who shoot on sight.

Alice Day and Ralph Graves in Riders of the Purple Cows (1924)

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Ralph Graves in Riders of the Purple Cows (1924)

Ralph Graves and Tiny Ward in Riders of the Purple Cows (1924)

Riders of the Purple Cows

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