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The Man of the Forest was one of a seemingly endless stream of Zane Grey novels that were brought to the screen. Carl Gantvoort makes a rather colorless hero, and he's up against two impressive villains: Robert McKim and Jean Hersholt. Ailing ranch owner Al Auchincloss (Harry Lorraine) sends for his two nieces, Helen and Bo Raynor (Claire Adams and Charlotte Pierce), who are his heirs. Milt Dale, who lives in the forest (Gantvoort), comes down to help round up the cattle, and a romance springs up between him and Helen. This does not please Harvey Riggs (McKim), who is trying to get control of the ranch. Riggs gets help from bootlegger Lem Beasley (Jean Hersholt), who sends his henchmen to kidnap the girls. Dale, meanwhile, has been framed to keep him out of the way, but he still manages to rescue Helen and Bo. Beasley's attempt to poison Auchincloss is foiled when he is shot by Las Vegas, a cowboy (Frank Hayes). The bad guys are put to rout, and Dale can continue his romance with Helen. This story was filmed again in 1926 and 1933.