The Ridin' Demon: A Wild, Dusty Trip Worth Taking (If You Dare)

If you’ve got a soft spot for old films, especially the ones that feel a bit like a fever dream, then The Ridin’ Demon might just be your next Saturday afternoon adventure. It's a real gem if you're into silent-era spectacle and don't mind a story that kinda skips along. But if you need crisp dialogue and modern pacing, well, you’ll probably be scrolling away pretty quick. 🤷‍♀️

This film, from way back when Basil Dickey and Carl Krusada were busy spinning tales, is all about the legend of the 'Demon.' That’s Ted Wells, by the way, and he just *flies* on horseback. The way he handles those reins, just a blur, it really sells the whole 'demon' thing.

There's this one chase scene, near the old canyon. It goes on for what feels like ten minutes, just Wells and the bad guys, dust kicking up everywhere. You can almost smell the horses, honestly. And the editing! It’s kinda jerky, but in a way that just adds to the frantic energy. It’s not smooth, it’s raw.

Lucy Beaumont, as the heroine, spends a good chunk of the film looking worried, which is fair enough given the scrapes she gets into. But there's this specific shot where she's tied to a chair, and she just gives this little *flick* of her eyes. It’s so subtle, but it tells you she’s not entirely helpless. A nice touch.

Otto Bibber plays the main villain, a truly sneering fellow. He twirls his mustache so much it almost becomes a character itself. One scene, he’s just sitting there, polished boots propped up, and he actually laughs silently. It’s creepy in a very old-school way. 😬

The plot itself is pretty straightforward, good guys chasing bad guys, a secret map, you know the drill. But it’s the little moments, the weird angles, the way a horse jumps a ravine that looks suspiciously like a prop, that make it memorable.

Kathleen Collins, in a smaller role, has this one scene where she runs through a dusty town, yelling without making a sound. Her mouth is open so wide, it’s almost comical. You can practically hear her scream, even without the title card.

The pacing sometimes feels like it's on a sugar rush, then suddenly hits a wall. Like, a long shot of Ted Wells just riding across a plain, taking his sweet time. Then, BAM! Another gunfight. It keeps you on your toes, in a strange way.

You can tell they really tried to make the stunts look dangerous. There’s a bit where the Demon swings from a tree branch onto a moving wagon. It's a bit wobbly, you can see the effort, and that makes it feel all the more impressive, somehow.

Compared to something like Further Adventures of a Flag Officer, which felt a bit more grand and sweeping, this one is tighter, more focused on pure kinetic energy. It doesn't try to be *important*.

Overall, The Ridin’ Demon is a fun, dusty blast from the past. It’s not perfect, not by a long shot. But it’s got a heart, and it’s got Ted Wells on a horse, and sometimes that’s all you really need.

Didja notice?

• That one shot where the Demon's horse almost slips on a patch of loose gravel. Very real.
• The villain's hat, it never seems to get dusty, even after all those chases. How?
• A lot of shots of people looking off into the distance, waiting for something.
• The film stock itself just adds to the charm, all those little scratches and pops.
• Someone in the background of a town scene just standing there, kinda picking their nose. Priceless.