Volume II: Filmography

JOHN T. ROCKS AND THE FLIVVER

October 17, 1915 (Sunday)

Length: 1 reel

Character: Comedy

Cast: Mignon Anderson (girl), George Marlo (John L. Watson, a young man), John Holden (John T. Rocks, the world's richest man), Arthur Bauer (John D. Gray, the young man's boss)

Notes: 1. As evidenced by a print preserved in The National Film Archive (London), there were inconsistencies in the spelling of the name of the automobile. On the car's radiator it appeared as Flivver, and on the window of the manufacturer's office it was given as Flivver Motor Car Co.; but on a business card it was listed as the Flier Motor Car Co.; and the subtitles of the film appeared as "John T. Rocks and the 'Flyer.'" 2. Although this film was listed as a drama in nearly all schedules, its character is that of a comedy, and it was so designated in a review in The Moving Picture World. 3. The name of the world's richest man in the film was a parody on the name of John D. Rockefeller, one of America's wealthiest citizens at the time.

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, October 16, 1915:

"The 'Flivver' automobile, referred to by owners of higher-priced cars as the 'motorcycle on four wheels,' goes further on a gallon of gasoline than any other car, climbs hills which have defied the efforts of expensive cars, and in every way has proved itself to be dependable. It is strictly 'a poor man's car.' The advantage of having the endorsement of a prominent and wealthy citizen was thoroughly appreciated by the 'Flivver' manufacturers, but try as they would, John T. Rocks, the richest man in the world, declared that he never had ridden in an automobile and never would. The Flivver Company had a rule providing for the prompt discharge of any of their employees who married if their salaries were under $1,000 a year. A certain young bridegroom in the office received only $800, and so he was told that his services were no longer required. He suggested that if he was made a salesman for the company at a much larger salary there would be no necessity for dispensing with his services. So the head of the company, having a keen sense of humor, told the clerk if he could get John T. Rocks to ride in a 'Flivver' the coveted position should be his.

"The young wife's old aunt lived in the country not far from the home of Mr. Rocks, so the couple decide to spend their honeymoon with the aunt. John T. Rocks was in the habit of driving out in a single-seated buckboard to a lonely lake several miles from town, to fish in seclusion. The favorite haunt of the millionaire was discovered by the honeymooners, who drove out to the lake. Unnoticed by the millionaire fisherman, his horse was untied, and too late, he saw horse and buckboard galloping madly down the road. He pursued, until, tired and footsore, he was overtaken by an automobile. Its driver, a young woman, offered to take him to his home. After considerable hesitation he accepted. The millionaire found his new acquaintance very charming, and soon was smiling and chatting with her, unaware that his picture had been 'snapped' by a camera concealed by the roadside. The camera was operated by the young husband, and when the picture was received by the 'Flivver' Company they wrote him that the salesman's position was his. When the millionaire saw an automobile advertisement in a daily paper containing a picture of himself and the girl, with the caption, 'John T. Rocks Rides in a 'Flivver,' Why Not You?' he realized that he had been tricked and wrote to the automobile people demanding the young man's discharge. The 'Flivver' people telegraphed the young husband that they couldn't afford to refuse the demand of the richest man in the world. The honeymooners were heartbroken. The next day they were amazed to receive a call from the millionaire. 'I had to get even for the trick you played upon me,' he said with a grim smile, 'and I want you, young man, for my secretary. For twenty years I have been searching for a man with your colossal nerve.'"

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, October 23, 1915:

"A pleasing comedy, in which a young man induces the richest man in the world to ride in a 'Flivver' car. He is aided by the girl, whose hand he claims as a reward. This is light but pleasing throughout."

Note: The author of the preceding review must not have been paying attention to the film, for the young man was married before he induced the richest man in the world to ride in a Flivver.

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