Volume II: Filmography

THE ACTOR AND THE RUBE

British release title: THE ACTOR AND THE BUMPKIN

(Falstaff)

April 16, 1915 (Friday)

Length: 1 reel (1,015 feet)

Character: Comedy

Director: Arthur Ellery

Scenario: Philip Lonergan

Cast: Riley Chamberlin (the actor), Boyd Marshall (his friend), Edward N. Hoyt (Hi Jenkins, the rube), Leo Post, John Reinhard, Morgan Jones, Kenneth Clarendon

Notes: 1. This was the first release in the Falstaff comedy series. Made under the personal supervision of Edwin Thanhouser, these one-reel comedies replaced Princess films on the Friday schedule. 2. With Their One Love and Monsieur Nikola Dupree, this was one of three films screened in New Rochelle for film critics brought to the studio for a day by Thanhouser's new publicity director, Leon J. Rubenstein. The intent was to acquaint reviewers with the forthcoming series of pictures made under the personal supervision of Edwin Thanhouser, and "guaranteed" by him to be of good quality.

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, April 3, 1915:

"Hi Jenkins, the crankiest farmer in Dillville, gets the whole village down on him, including the spinster whom he wishes to marry. After losing heavily at poker in the local hotel, he leaves for New York to see the sights and forget his troubles. A well-known actor sees him pass the club window, and is seized with a fancy to impersonate the grotesque old fellow. An 'accidental meeting' is arranged, and the actor studies his original. He makes up, and goes to Jenkins' home town, where his agreeable personality soon turns the popular mind in Hi's favor. He wins at poker. The spinster smiles upon him. And when Jenkins returns, having received a tip from the actor, that if he is silent all will be well, he finds himself the best-liked man in the village. His grouchy disposition never comes back. And he marries the lady of his choice. This is the first of the releases under the Falstaff brand, which replaces the Princess in the Mutual program. Refined, single reel comedies will be released under the Falstaff brand each week."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, April 24, 1915:

"A fresh comedy number, in which a rube, unlucky at cards and love, decides to visit New York. Here he meets an actor, portrayed by Riley Chamberlin, who makes up as the rube and goes back to his home town. He fools the inhabitants and wins at both love and cards. The conception is original and pleasing."

REVIEW, The New York Dramatic Mirror, April 28, 1915: This review is reprinted in the narrative section of the present work.

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