The Wrong Man

In this early silent Western, a stagecoach raid sets off a heated manhunt as townsfolk scramble to restore order. The story follows Jack Wilson, a stubborn but capable rider played by Harry Carey, who joins forces with Anice Malone, the determined woman on the edge of frontier life, and Chip Stevens, a quick witted ally. Together they trail a gang through dusty passes, unreliable leads, and the dangers of the open country, hoping to corner the culprits before they vanish into the desert. As the riders close in, fear and grit collide, and a desperate plan to round up the bandits tests every member's nerve. The chase drives the film's pace and keeps the outcome in doubt. The film's closing moments keep the pursuit alive, hinting that the truth behind the crime may be more personal than it first appears.

Directed by Fred Kelsey in 1917, The Wrong Man was written by Jack Cunningham and N. P. Oakes. This silent Western features Harry Carey as Jack Wilson, with Fritzi Ridgeway, Vester Pegg, William Steele and George Berrell in supporting roles.

As a product of its era, the film leans on classic Western ideas of order wrestled from the chaos of the frontier. The narrative emphasizes teamwork, resolve, and quick thinking under pressure, with loyalty tested as the pursuit of the culprits unfolds across rugged landscapes. Visual storytelling and brisk pacing convey danger without heavy dialogue, a hallmark of silent cinema. While specific contemporary reviews are scarce, The Wrong Man clearly reflects the period's attraction to rugged protagonists, moral clarity, and the stubborn hope that law and community can prevail.

Box office data for The Wrong Man (1917) isn't readily available, as records from early silent releases are incomplete and unevenly preserved. Many silent titles survive only in fragmentary prints, which complicates any attempt to reconstruct earnings.