Reel Life (1915-1916)

New Releases in the Mutual Program THE INNOCENT SANDWICH MAN— “BETWEEN LAKES AND MOUNTAINS” NOVELTY Split Reel — December 22, 1915 — FELIX FILLANDER and Simon Morse are rival inventors. Felix Invents a vocometer to register the number of words his wife is able to articulate in one minute. He puts it over the dining-room door, when there is company at dinner — and when the loquacious Mrs. Felix discovers her husband’s trick she wags her nimble tongue until he flees the house. Fillander chances to see a sandwich sign man on the street. The back of the sandwich sign is too tempting to be resisted. So Felix takes out his draughtsman crayons and begins to draw on the sandwich sign a model of his next invention. He is deeply absorbed when Simon Morse happens along. Simon awaits his opportunity, and as soon as his rival is out of sight, proceeds to erase parts of the design and substitute certain improvements of his own. The back of the sign originally reads to the effect that on "that day only a certain restaurant keeper is offering a twenty-five cent luncheon free with every 3 for 50c cigar purchased in his establishment. When the inventors get through with it, it announces that the cafe manager is giving away twenty-five cents with every 3 for 50c cigar. The people swarm after the sandwich man. But delight turns to rage when the crowd demands that mein host shall “come on with those quarters.” At last the sandwich man is dragged in by the excited multitude to prove their point. The rear sign is convincing, but the front sign remains as originally written. The proprietor is obliged to carry the dispute to court. There it is agreed that the rear sign is the one which counts. So, unconsciously, the two inventors benefit the masses who reap a harvest of twenty-five cent pieces. HUNTING— CASINO One Reel— December 26, 1915 — “Budd” Ross pulls a new one. Lord Fitzroy Camembert “Budd” Ross Count de Gorgonzola Edward Boulden Gladys Gladiola Jenny Nelson Reginald Astorbilt Phin Nares Lord Fitzroy Camembert and Count de Gorgonzola, both residing at the Hotel de Gink, were highly delighted on receiving invitations from Gladys Gladiola to lunch with her at the Ritz. But when the two rivals showed up, matters became less rosy, for an enormous plume on Gladys’ hat became ignited from the candelabra, and she positively demanded that it be replaced. So both of the impecunious gentlemen set out in quest of a plume from the breast of a golden pheasant. They ransacked hen yards and millinery stores only to be spumed by Gladys. So both went hunting. Hunting proved disastrous. Not only were they arrested by a Game Warden, but in their absence Reginald Astorbilt made Gladys’ acquaintance and bought her a new plume in a very off-hand way. So when the Game Warden showed up in the cafe with the delinquents in tow, the reception accorded them was chilly. In fact, the members of the trio were evicted from the cafe while Gladys and Reggie laughed as Fitzroy and the Count were marched off to Jail. $ WHEN WILLIAM’S WHISKERS WORKED— FALSTAFF One Reel — December 20, 1915 — The Comic Mishap of a Grave Old Man, Starring Riley Chamberlain. Cast. William Deportment Riley Chamberlain Doris, his daughter Winifred Lane Fenton, her suitor George Mario Bearded Lady Frances Keyes William Deportment has wealth, and a long, grey beard. William’s fair daughter, Doris, is beloved of Fenton, on whom her austere father frowns. William does not rave or threaten to disinherit Doris. He simply dismisses the affair as “Preposterous” One day, on a railroad train, William loses his ticket and his wallet. The conductor, who is used to explanations, listens wearily, and then orders William off the train at the next station. The dignified passenger hides under the seat, but is discovered and ejected. He lands near a small town, hobbles to the nearest depot, and sends a telegram collect to his daughter. After some waiting the answer comes. William’s daughter has eloped and his house is burned to the ground. There is nobody to pay for the telegram, and the operator demands that William somehow make good. So the telegrapher gets him a chance to substitute for the “Bearded Lady” of the circus playing in town. The “Bearded Lady” herself is away on a furlough to see her grandchild. The elopers arrive in the village in search of a minister. Fenton happens to recognize William on the platform with the freaks. For a moment Fenton was puzzled as to what to do. He wanted to see the thing through, and would have, but for the fact that the old man presented such a pitiful appearance. Fenton waited until the station platform had been cleared of passengers and then stepped up to the “bearded lady,” and made a clean breast of everything. The old man is rescued by his wouldbe son-in-law, who solemnly offers, in return for the parental blessing, never to betray how William’s whiskers worked in a side show. The Tall Lady and the Circus Manager in “When William’s Whiskers Worked." REEL LIFE— Page Nine