Faro Nell: A Silly Silent Western Worth a Peek?

Okay, so Faro Nell? It’s a silent western satire from 1929. If you’re into old movies, especially the ones with really big hats and slapstick, you might get a kick out of it. For folks used to loud explosions and talking, this one will probably feel a bit… slow. Definitely not for everyone, but there’s some charm there if you let it in.

The whole thing is about Faro Nell, played by Louise Fazenda. She's the “belle” of a mining town, also a gold prospector. You see her character pretty much owning the place. She’s got this thing for a guy named Dick, and they’re planning to ditch the dusty town for, get this, an education. Imagine.

Fazenda really carries the picture. She’s got this wide-eyed, expressive face that just works for silent comedy. One scene, she's trying to look all demure but keeps accidentally tripping over her own feet. It’s a small bit, but it makes her feel more real than some of the other characters.

The movie pokes fun at all those classic Western tropes. Cowboys are either bumbling or overly dramatic. There's a scene where a guy tries to look tough by spitting, but he misses his mark entirely. It's a blink-and-you-miss-it gag, but it tells you what kind of movie this is.

Suddenly, her past pops up. This unexpected twist kind of throws a wrench into her plans with Dick. It’s not exactly a deep, emotional revelation, more like another excuse for some comedic hijinks and chase scenes.

You can tell they had fun making this, even if some of the gags don't quite land today. There's a bit where someone gets hit with a pie, and the timing is just a little off. Like, the pie splatters before it even touches their face. Still, you get the idea.

The sets are what you'd expect: dusty streets, a saloon that looks like it's seen better days, and a whole lot of extras pretending to be rough-and-tumble miners. The crowd scenes have this oddly empty feeling sometimes, like half the extras wandered off for a snack break. It's not a huge budget affair, that's for sure.

I liked the way they played with the idea of a “wild west belle” who’s also a working prospector. Faro Nell isn't just sitting around waiting to be rescued. She’s out there, digging for gold, getting dirty. It feels a little ahead of its time, even if the overall story is pretty simple. 💪

There's a villain, of course. A cartoonishly evil type who twirls his mustache so much you wonder how he still has one. His schemes are pretty transparent, but it’s all part of the fun, I guess. You don’t watch these for intricate plots, right?

One reaction shot lingers so long after a character falls down a well, it almost becomes funny in itself. You're just waiting for something else to happen, and it doesn't. Just the well. And a confused cow in the background. 😂

The movie gets noticeably better once it stops trying to build any real tension and just leans into the absurdity. The final chase sequence, with everyone on horseback, feels less like a desperate pursuit and more like a bunch of friends trying to outdo each other with silly falls. It’s chaotic, but in a good way.

So, should you watch it? If you have a soft spot for silent films, or just want to see a different take on the Western, give it a shot. It's a quick watch. Otherwise, you might find yourself checking your watch more than the screen. But hey, Louise Fazenda is pretty great.