According to Hoyle (film)

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According to Hoyle
According to Hoyle 1923 newspaper.jpg
Contemporary advertisement
Directed by W.S. Van Dyke
Written by John B. Clymer
Story byClyde Westover
Lottie Horner
Produced byDavid Butler
Starring David Butler
Helen Ferguson
Philip Ford
Cinematography Arthur L. Todd
Production
company
David Butler Productions
Distributed byWestern Pictures
Release date
  • May 5, 1922 (1922-05-05)
Running time
5 reels
CountryUnited States
Language Silent (English intertitles)

According to Hoyle is a lost [1] 1922 American silent adventure film directed by W.S. Van Dyke and starring David Butler, Helen Ferguson, and Philip Ford. [2] [3]

Contents

Plot

As described in a film magazine, [4] 'Boxcar' Simmons (D. Butler) is tramping the railroad ties to nowhere when from a car window blows a set of rules telling how to be a success for life. The idea rather appeals to Simmons so he sets out to live by them, changing his hobo garb for better clothes for, as the rules state, "God helps those who help themselves." Simmons is mistaken for a millionaire mining man. Dude Miller (F. Butler) and Jim Riggs (Todd) set out to sell him a rock-studded farm. Simmons discovers that Doris Mead (Ferguson) and her brother Jim (Ford) were previously swindled by the two slickers. He "salts" the ranch and the slickers pay out a large sum to buy his option, thinking it to be a rich silver ore deposit. Simmons turns this money over to Doris and her brother. The slickers, finding that they have been tricked, crack the hotel safe and steal Simmons' wallet and its rules for success. Once safely away they open the wallet and find and read the last rule: "Once you get a good start -- keep going!"

Cast

Production

Filming of According to Hoyle began in November 1921, [5] and took place in Tehachapi, California and at the Burston Studios in Los Angeles. [6] Filming was completed in January 1922. [7]

Reception

The Moving Picture World's reviewer T.S. daPonte was positive, praising David Butler's acting and saying of the intertitles "The originality in the wording of several of the sub-titles is especially to be commended." [8]

Motion Picture News' Charles Larkin's review was also positive, describing the safe robbery and ensuing chase to be a production highlight. [9]

References

  1. "American Silent Feature Film Survival Database: According to Hoyle". March 21, 2023. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  2. Munden p. 2.
  3. Progressive Silent Film List: According to Hoyle at silentera.com
  4. "Reviews: According to Hoyle". Exhibitors Herald. 14 (21). New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company: 65. May 20, 1922.
  5. Camera!. Los Angeles: Raymond Cannon. November 26, 1921. p. 4.
  6. Camera!. Los Angeles: Raymond Cannon. January 7, 1922. p. 4.
  7. Camera!. Los Angeles: Raymond Cannon. January 14, 1922. p. 4.
  8. The Moving Picture World. New York City: Chalmers Publishing Company. June 24, 1922. p. 736.
  9. Motion Picture News. New York: Motion Picture News, Inc. August 12, 1922. p. 787.

Bibliography