Introduction
1915 film Father and the Boys is a 1915 American silent comedy film directed by Joe De Grasse, written by Ida May Park, and co starring Lon Chaney and Digby .1915 film Father and the Boys is a 1915 American silent comedy film directed by Joe De Grasse, written by Ida May Park, and co starring Lon Chaney and Digby .
It is based on a popular 1908 Broadway play produced by Charles Frohman, called Father and the Boys by George .It is based on a popular 1908 Broadway play produced by Charles Frohman, called Father and the Boys by George .
This was Louise Lovely's American film debut after emigrating from .This was Louise Lovely's American film debut after emigrating from .
She made a total of 8 films with Chaney during this time .She made a total of 8 films with Chaney during this time .
Digby Bell reprised his Broadway role as Lemuel Morewood in the film (this was his first film ).Digby Bell reprised his Broadway role as Lemuel Morewood in the film (this was his first film ).
Louise Lovely's role of Bessie Brayton was played by Margaret Dale in the .Louise Lovely's role of Bessie Brayton was played by Margaret Dale in the .
The makeup savvy Bell befriended Chaney on the set of this film and the two were seen trading makeup tips behind the .The makeup savvy Bell befriended Chaney on the set of this film and the two were seen trading makeup tips behind the .
After Richelieu (1914), this was Lon Chaney's 2nd appearance in a full length feature film, running approximately 50 minutes, much longer than the shorts he had been appearing in for .After Richelieu (1914), this was Lon Chaney's 2nd appearance in a full length feature film, running approximately 50 minutes, much longer than the shorts he had been appearing in for .
A still exists which shows Chaney in the role of Tuck .A still exists which shows Chaney in the role of Tuck .
The film is today considered to be .The film is today considered to be .
Plot
Lemuel Morewood is a wealthy businessman who hopes someday to see his two sons take over his .Lemuel Morewood is a wealthy businessman who hopes someday to see his two sons take over his .
He wants Tom to marry Frances Berkeley and Billy to marry Emily Donelson, but the boys have different .He wants Tom to marry Frances Berkeley and Billy to marry Emily Donelson, but the boys have different .
Tom is just interested in sports, while Billy is obsessed with high society matters and spends all his time with Mrs. Guilford, the leader of the smart .Tom is just interested in sports, while Billy is obsessed with high society matters and spends all his time with Mrs. Guilford, the leader of the smart .
Bessie Brayton is an orphan from Nevada who comes to New York and gets a job as an entertainer at high society .Bessie Brayton is an orphan from Nevada who comes to New York and gets a job as an entertainer at high society .
She owns a half interest in the Bluebird Mine, which she believes is .She owns a half interest in the Bluebird Mine, which she believes is .
The Morewoods hire Bessie one night to entertain at a party where she meets Major Didsworth, who offers to sell her mine shares for .The Morewoods hire Bessie one night to entertain at a party where she meets Major Didsworth, who offers to sell her mine shares for .
Bessie taunts Lemuel that he is old fashioned, so he gets into his tuxedo, wins a large sum of money gambling with Didsworth, and goes off with Bessie to blow his .Bessie taunts Lemuel that he is old fashioned, so he gets into his tuxedo, wins a large sum of money gambling with Didsworth, and goes off with Bessie to blow his .
Lemuel keeps up his wild pace; he goes to the racetrack where his wild behavior infuriates Mrs. Guilford, and she criticizes Lemuel's .Lemuel keeps up his wild pace; he goes to the racetrack where his wild behavior infuriates Mrs. Guilford, and she criticizes Lemuel's .
Billy defends his father, ending his friendship with Mrs. .Billy defends his father, ending his friendship with Mrs. .
Bessie receives a telegram from Didsworth offering her $1,000 cash in exchange for her mine .Bessie receives a telegram from Didsworth offering her $1,000 cash in exchange for her mine .
Lemuel suspects that she is being cheated, and he goes back to Nevada with .Lemuel suspects that she is being cheated, and he goes back to Nevada with .
The boys think their father has run off to elope with Bessie and they follow them, along with Emily, Frances, and Tobias Ford, the family .The boys think their father has run off to elope with Bessie and they follow them, along with Emily, Frances, and Tobias Ford, the family .
Out in Nevada, Lemuel and Bessie learn that her half of the mine is actually worth a fortune, and they learn that the other half is owned by Tuck Bartholomew (Lon Chaney), Bessie's old sweetheart who disappeared years ago up in .Out in Nevada, Lemuel and Bessie learn that her half of the mine is actually worth a fortune, and they learn that the other half is owned by Tuck Bartholomew (Lon Chaney), Bessie's old sweetheart who disappeared years ago up in .
On route to Nevada, Tom becomes engaged to Emily and Billy becomes engaged to Frances—exactly the opposite of what their father had planned for the .On route to Nevada, Tom becomes engaged to Emily and Billy becomes engaged to Frances—exactly the opposite of what their father had planned for the .
They arrive at a wedding ceremony just in time to stop their father from marrying Bessie, only to learn that Bessie is actually marrying her old flame Tuck Bartholomew, who has come back from .They arrive at a wedding ceremony just in time to stop their father from marrying Bessie, only to learn that Bessie is actually marrying her old flame Tuck Bartholomew, who has come back from .
Lemuel and his two sons return home to New York to run the family business, together with Emily and .Lemuel and his two sons return home to New York to run the family business, together with Emily and .
Reception
"George Ade's comedy is pleasant, genuine and ."George Ade's comedy is pleasant, genuine and .
The dialogue being absent, it is not such a sidesplitting affair as it was several years ago on the stage, but it is a lively .The dialogue being absent, it is not such a sidesplitting affair as it was several years ago on the stage, but it is a lively .
An excellent five reel comedy Digby Bell, ther veteran character actor is seen in the leading .An excellent five reel comedy Digby Bell, ther veteran character actor is seen in the leading .
He is supported by a good cast A very pleasing comedy ."He is supported by a good cast A very pleasing comedy ."
Motion Picture News "Ida May Park, the scenario writer, and Joseph De Grasse, director, are to be congratulated on getting this comedy over without either padding or loss of .Motion Picture News "Ida May Park, the scenario writer, and Joseph De Grasse, director, are to be congratulated on getting this comedy over without either padding or loss of .
It runs smoothly and clearly from scene to scene and preserves the undercurrent of genial humor .It runs smoothly and clearly from scene to scene and preserves the undercurrent of genial humor .
The supporting cast is very ."The supporting cast is very ."
Moving Picture