Desperate Trails
Directed by	John Ford
Written by	Elliott J. Clawson Courtney Ryley Cooper
Starring	Harry Carey Irene Rich Barbara La Marr
Cinematography	Robert De Grasse Harry M. Fowler
Distributed by	Universal Film Manufacturing Company
Release date	July 9, 1921
Running time	50 minutes
Country	United States
Languages	Silent English intertitles

Desperate Trails is a 1921 American silent Western film directed by John Ford and featuring Harry Carey. The film is considered to be lost.^[1]

Plot

As described in a film publication,^[2] Bart Carson (Carey) is in love with Lou (La Marr) and even goes to jail to save Walter A. Walker (Coxen), a man she says is her brother but who is really a husband who has deserted his wife and two children. After he learns the truth, Bart breaks out of jail and trails Walter, who falls off a train trying to escape. Bart then seeks refuge in a cabin with Mrs. Walker (Rich), where he is captured, but the officials have learned the truth and promise him a pardon.

Cast

• Harry Carey as Bart Carson^[3]
• Irene Rich as Mrs. Walker^[3]
• George E. Stone as Dannie Boy^[3]
• Helen Field as Carrie^[3]
• Edward Coxen as Walter A. Walker^[3]
• Barbara La Marr as Lady Lou^[3]
• George Siegmann as Sheriff Price^[3]
• Charles Inslee as Doc Higgins^[3]

Production and release

Courtney Ryley Cooper wrote the story Christmas Eve at Pilot Butte which was later purchased by the Universal Film Manufacturing Company. The screenplay was written by Elliott J. Clawson and directed by John Ford.^[4][5]

Filming of Desperate Trails started on March 14, 1921, under the working title of Christmas Eve at Pilot Butte, and lasted until April 11, with Harry C. Fowler and Robert De Grasse serving as the photographers. The movie was released on July 9.^[5]