Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford (1916 film)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford
Directed by Fred Niblo
W. J. Lincoln
Written by W. J. Lincoln
Fred Niblo
Based on George M. Cohan (play)
George Randolph Chester (story)
Starring Fred Niblo
Enid Bennett
Cinematography Maurice Bertel
Studio J.C. Williamson Ltd
Release dates
  • 21 February 1916 (1916-02-21) (Melbourne)
[1]
Running time 4,000 feet[2]
Country Australia
Language Silent

Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford is a 1916 Australian silent comedy film directed by Fred Niblo.[3] It was Niblo's debut film as a director and is considered a lost film.

Plot

Two swindlers, Blackie Daw (Henry Carson Clarke) and J. Rufus Wallingford (Fred Niblo), arrive in Battlesburg, Iowa, and con the local townsfolk that they are wealthy businessmen. They use the town's money to establish plans for a factory to produce covered carpet tacks and set off a major real estate boom. They are about to leave town with their money when they receive a genuine order for a large supply of tacks. They decide to marry local girls and settle down in Battlesburg.[4]

Cast

  • Fred Niblo as J. Rufus Wallingford
  • Henry Carson Clarke as Blackie
  • Enid Bennett as Fanny
  • Eddie Lamb
  • Pirie Bush
  • Sydney Stirling
  • Charles Clary
  • Kathryn Williams
  • Max Figman
  • Burt McIntosh

Production

The film was the first made by the film unit of theatrical firm J.C. Williamson, although it was one of the last to be released.

Williamsons often imported American plays and American actors to star in them. Fred Niblo came out to Australia in 1912 with his wife Josephine Cohan, sister of George M. Cohan, and stayed for three years, appearing in a number of plays.[5] One of these was Get-Rich-Quick-Wallingford, by Cohan, which proved enormously popular with Australian audiences.[6][7]

W.J. Lincoln adapted the play into a script in March 1915 and shooting began the following month. Lincoln was originally meant to direct as well but had to pull out because of his alcoholism and Niblo stepped in.[8] While filming, Niblo was also rehearsing a play in the morning and appearing in Seven Keys to Baldpate at night.

The cast includes Enid Bennett, who understudied Josephine Cohan on stage and went with Niblo and her to America when they returned there in 1915. Bennett later married Niblo on Cohan's death in 1916.[9][10]

Reception

The film was not a success at the box office and contributed to the decision of J.C. Williamson to wind up their filmmaking arm.[10]

References

  1. ↑ Mary Bateman, 'W.J. Lincoln', Cinema Papers, June-July 1980 p 214
  2. ↑ "AMUSEMENTS.". Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954) (Launceston, Tas.: National Library of Australia). 6 May 1916. p. 8 Edition: DAILY. Retrieved 15 April 2012. 
  3. ↑ "Progressive Silent Film List: Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford". Silent Era. Retrieved 6 June 2008. 
  4. ↑ "GET-RICH-QUICK-WALLINGFORD AT THEATRE ROYAL.". Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1885 - 1954) (Qld.: National Library of Australia). 14 July 1916. p. 2. Retrieved 15 April 2012. 
  5. ↑ "NEW AMERICAN ARTISTS.". The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) (NSW: National Library of Australia). 8 July 1912. p. 3. Retrieved 15 April 2012. 
  6. ↑ "MUSIC AND THE STAGE.". The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929) (Adelaide, SA: National Library of Australia). 22 July 1916. p. 5. Retrieved 15 April 2012. 
  7. ↑ ""GET-RICH-QUICK WALLINGFORD.".". The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) (NSW: National Library of Australia). 5 August 1912. p. 3. Retrieved 15 April 2012. 
  8. ↑ Mary Bateman, 'W.J. Lincoln', Cinema Papers, June-July 1980 p 174
  9. ↑ "PERSONAL.". The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956) (Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia). 14 July 1916. p. 6. Retrieved 15 April 2012. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper, Australian Film 1900–1977: A Guide to Feature Film Production, Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1998, p59

External links

The films of W.J. Lincoln
As director
As writer only
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike; additional terms may apply for the media files.