The eighth short film directed by Hart after his return to Inceville late in 1914, The Taking of Luke McVane was released the same week as the long-delayed feature On the Night Stage. Produced on a slightly larger budget than Hart’s other two-reelers ($2306.71, a figure that included Hart’s salary for both acting and directing), it is unusual in many respects: there is no sentimental love interest, the Hart character dies at the end, and the plot involves Indians, if only as deus ex machina. Although Hart had known Indians in his youth, and to some degree was able to speak the Sioux language, Native American characters rarely appear in his films (and even then, as in The Dawn Maker, he might play the role himself). Cliff Smith, Hart’s invaluable assistant director, makes a rare on-screen appearance as the deputy sheriff.

Richard e Diane Koszarski