Interesting to watch this scene from the 1929 film adaptation of Owen Wister’s novel. Gary Cooper plays the Virginian and Walter Huston plays Trampas in a manner more in keeping with Wister’s original vision.
Unfortunately in this scene Huston comes across as a pantomime villain – lacking depth with his swaggering delivery. A legacy from the silent era when body movement was over emphasized to convey emotion. By contrast Gary Cooper manages to convey emotion with less effort. A skill in itself and more in synch with the new era of sound.
The Virginian Weblog 
Thanks Paul
I must buy this film.
Gary Coopers performance on this clip reminded me of Montgomory Cliff in Red River-
Michael
I also think Henry Fonda would have been perfect casting Michael. Cooper and Fonda had a certain integrity and style to their acting that suited the role of the Virginian. The ability to be tough yet compassionate.