“Trapping the Bobcat” (1921) is one of the fifteen episodes in the “The Adventures of Bill and Bob” serial. This series was released in the 1920’s through distribution company Pathegrams. It was created by prodigious director Robert N. Bradenbury, whose twin sons, Bob Steele and Bill Bradenbury, star in the series. (Steele would go on to become a famous Western star.) Cryrus J. Williams served as producer.

The “Bill and Bob” series followed the twins along thrilling adventures as they explored and hunted wild game. The films highlight animal hunting and trapping methods and underscore Bill and Bob’s camaraderie, courage and discovery. This episode is fairly typical, with the boys making a campsite, using various tricks of the hunting trade (such as the use of anise oil to hide the human scent), methods of proper land use during tracking as well as trap fabrication and set up. The boys are shown as heroes for eliminating a “thieving” bobcat. Note: in the era the film was made, hunting was moving from being a necessity for individuals to being a regulated activity funded and organized by sportsmen. The overall belief was that hunting, especially of predators, was necessary to maintain abundant wildlife populations. Overhunting and rapid loss of habitats eventually forced numerous species to the brink of extinction. Hunters then began to serve as a powerful force behind the environmental movement.

The film opens with credits (:14); released by Pathegrams and the copyright, passed by the National Board of Review (:23). Early film review boards used roman numerals for copyrights; MCMXXI indicates it was copyrighted in 1921. In the 1920’s the National Board of Review was transitioning from censorship to promotion of cinema as an art form. An opening note describes the bobcat (:30) highlighting the 1920’s mindset. Phrasing provides plausible cause for hunting the animal. Footage sweeps a mountainous region (1:03) indicated to be the bobcat’s domain. Bill; in a flat cap (1:33) and Bob (1:44) are introduced at their campsite. A third character; Rags (1:56) accompanies the twins. Bill inspects the drag type trap (2:05). A title card provides explanation for it’s use (2:14). They collect the last of twenty traps from the campsite (2:38) and head into the mountainous terrain (2:46) to set the traps into place. They select specific routes including a hillside trail (3:02) and a deep ravine (3:27). Bob uses gloves dipped in anise oil (3:16). Holes are dug for proper fit of the trap (3:47). Oil paper is wrapped around it in order to ensure a clean spring (4:25). The trap is covered with dirt (5:01) and the trail is narrowed forcing the animal to pass over the trap. The pair reunite in the woods (5:51). Rags delivers a false alarm (6:05) over a skunk (6:32). Bob gets blown back by the skunk’s spray (6:49). Bill sprints away from the stench (7:10). Bob buries his ruined pajamas in dirt (7:39). The boys squabble as Bill refuses to let Bob sleep in the tent (7:57). The bobcat appears the second evening (8:33). Rags gets excitable the following morning (9:08). The twins somersault as they notice the trap is gone (9:20). Adrenaline from the anticipated catch runs the boys down hills (9:52), under brush (10:02) and through the woods (10:07). They search through leaves for indications of a trail (10:17) and sight the bobcat (10:29) slowed by the trap (10:29). They ready a rifle and nose (10:46). Bob gets hit by a blow from the bobcat (10:53). They get a nose around the animals head and legs (11:46) and hoist it up for the camera (12:41). A title card notes “the end of a jake day;” referring to 1920’s slang for fine or good day (13:12). Shots show many bobcat pelts collected after two weeks (13:34). Bob pulls forward a skunk skin (13:52). It concludes with the Pathegrams logo (13:52). The End.

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