COLLECTION · Movie · 1919

It's a Bear

Orlando Winthrop, the studious son of a wealthy Bostonian, distresses his father by pursuing an interest in insects. Inspired by a book advising one to "get the drop on the other fellow," Orlando travels to the family sheep ranch in Wyoming to investigate negative rumors concerning foreman William Cogney. Inappropriately dressed and carrying golf clubs, Orlando is paraded through the town by the ranch cowboys. To their chagrin, Orlando bluffs them in poker, out-drinks them, and rides a bucking bronco. During a hunting expedition, the cowboys attempt to scare Orlando with a stuffed bear. Orlando nonchalantly emerges from the woods followed by a live bear, neglecting to inform them that it is trained. Orlando then frustrates William's plan to destroy a portion of the flock and defeats him in a fight. Mr. Winthrop arrives from the East with Orlando's fiancée, who breaks the engagement upon seeing her betrothed chew tobacco. Orlando is delighted, as he and the town's schoolteacher have fallen in love.