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Cult Review
Senior Film Conservator
Okay, so The Smiling Terror. If you’re into those older, no-nonsense Westerns, the kind where you know who the good guy is from minute one, then yeah, this one’s worth a look. Folks who love the straightforward charm of classic cowboy flicks will probably get a kick out of it, especially with Ted Wayne just doing his thing. But if you’re hoping for some deep, twisty plot or slick modern action, you’ll probably find yourself checking your watch pretty fast. It’s a very specific taste, for sure.
The whole setup is pretty classic: Ted Wayne, played by Ted Wells, shows up as this cowboy who’s always got a bit of a grin, but you can tell there's steel behind it. He's not just smiling to be friendly; it's almost like a warning sometimes. Like, "I'm smiling now, but don't push it."
Right off the bat, he saves Mabel and her dad from a runaway wagon team. It’s one of those scenes where you see the dust flying and the horses galloping, and you’re pretty sure they used every trick in the book to make it look exciting for the time. There’s a bit of a scramble, and then Ted, cool as a cucumber, brings everything under control. You know, hero stuff. 🤠
Then comes the whole mine business, which is where Hank Sims, the "unsavory character," steps in. Al Ferguson plays Sims, and he’s just got that look, you know? Like, he doesn’t even have to say much, you just know he’s up to no good. Ted Wayne sees right through him, which is no surprise.
What I really liked about Wayne’s character is how he handles things. He's not flashy, not a big talker. He just observes, smiles that peculiar smile, and then acts when he needs to. It’s a quiet sort of confidence, and it makes him feel pretty formidable without needing to boast.
There's a moment when Ted is trying to warn Mabel's father about Sims, and the old man is just so *stubborn*. You can almost feel Ted sighing internally, like, "Here we go again with the trust issues." It's a small beat, but it felt real.
The action sequences are what you’d expect for the era – a few well-placed punches, some quick draws. Nothing super elaborate, but it gets the job done. You don't see a lot of fancy camera work; it's mostly about showing the movement clearly. Which, honestly, is sometimes all you need.
I found myself wondering if Ted Wells was just naturally that stoic with a fixed slight grin, or if it was a deliberate acting choice. It really defines the character. It’s not a big, toothy grin; it’s more subtle, a quiet acknowledgment of his own capability, almost.
The pacing is pretty brisk for a film of this age. They don’t waste much time getting from one plot point to the next. It’s very much about moving the story forward without too many detours. No long, drawn-out speeches here, which is kinda refreshing.
You can see the limitations of the budget, especially in some of the sets, which are pretty basic. But honestly, for a Western, all you really need are some dusty roads and a saloon, right? And they’ve got plenty of that.
There's a scene where Sims tries to pull one over, and Ted just stands there, smiling. The way the scene plays out, Sims gets more and more agitated, and Ted just stays calm, his smile never quite leaving his face. It’s brilliant in its simplicity, making Ted seem almost *unbreakable*.
It's a testament to how effective simple storytelling can be. No need for complex backstories or convoluted motivations. Bad guy is bad, good guy is good, and justice will be served. A comfort, almost.
So, yeah, The Smiling Terror isn't going to redefine cinema, but it’s a solid, enjoyable watch if you appreciate its era. It’s got a charm that’s hard to ignore, especially if you like your heroes with a side of quiet menace and a permanent half-grin. 😊
IMDb 6.5
1922
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