Summary
Richard Kingsley, the scion of a prominent financier, inadvertently finds himself embroiled in a chaotic New York roadhouse raid while attempting to assist Marjorie Crenshaw and her sister. His subsequent arrest ignites his father's intense disapproval, culminating in a threat of disinheritance unless Richard journeys to Colorado in pursuit of a rumored mine. En route west, a chance encounter with a troupe of chorus girls leads to his pockets being picked by their unscrupulous manager, leaving him utterly penniless. Forced to continue on foot, he crosses paths with Kinkaid, a notorious bandit who has recently absconded with $5,000 belonging to Marjorie Crenshaw's father. Richard, recognizing his own family's stolen horse beneath Kinkaid, demands its return. Kinkaid complies but not before a forced exchange of clothing, inadvertently casting Richard as the very outlaw he just encountered. Now pursued by a determined posse, Richard, mistaken for Kinkaid, discovers the stolen funds and, with a surprising act of altruism, distributes them. Kinkaid, realizing his financial loss, retraces his steps, encountering Marjorie and attempting a brazen seduction. Richard arrives just in time to intervene, escorting Marjorie home, only to be accused by her father of the very robbery he sought to rectify. The intricate web of mistaken identities and accusations finally unravels with the timely arrival of Richard's father, who confirms his son's true identity, leading not only to the discovery of the elusive mine but also Marjorie's profound realization of her affections for Richard.
Synopsis
Richard Kingsley, son of a financier, trying to aid Marjorie Crenshaw and her sister during a raid on a New York roadhouse, is arrested. His father, enraged by the bad publicity, threatens to disinherit him if he doesn't go to Colorado in search of a mine. While traveling west, Richard meets a group of chorus girls and has his pocket picked by their manager. Without funds, he continues on foot; he meets Kinkaid, a bandit who has stolen $5,000 from Marjorie Crenshaw's father. Richard recognizes that Kinkaid's horse is the one stolen from his father and demands it be returned. Kinkaid gives him the horse but forces Richard to exchange clothes with him. Now mistaken for Kinkaid, Richard must flee from the posse but first uses altruistically the $5,000 he finds in Kinkaid's clothing. Kinkaid, missing the money, backtracks in search of Dick but instead meets Marjorie, whom he tries to seduce. Richard arrives in time to save her and takes her home, where her father believes him to be the bandit who robbed him. All complications are straightened out when Richard's father arrives and identifies his son; Dick discovers the mine; and Marjorie discovers that she loves Dick.
Review Excerpt
"Is Fighting Courage worth watching today? Short answer: yes, but with significant caveats. This early Western, a relic from an era where silent films were giving way to talkies, delivers a surprisingly robust narrative, yet it’s undeniably a product of its time. It’s a film that will resonate deeply with classic film enthusiasts, particularly those with a fondness for the Western genre's formative years and a high tolerance for period-specific pacing and storytelling conventions. However, those ..."
