The Cheese Special

Last updated

The Cheese Special
Written by Allen Curtis
Distributed by Universal Film Manufacturing Company
Release date
  • October 25, 1913 (1913-10-25)
Running time
1 reel
CountryUnited States
LanguagesSilent
English intertitles

The Cheese Special is a 1913 American silent short comedy film featuring Max Asher and marking the film debut of Louise Fazenda. The scenario was written by Allen Curtis, but the identity of the director is unknown. It was the first production released by the newly formed Joker productions, as part of the Universal Film Manufacturing Company. The film is presumed to be lost and there is no published synopsis of the film. Known production details state that it was shot on a beach resort and used a miniature train. The film had a wide release and was reviewed by The Moving Picture World as a low comedy suited for the burlesque theaters.

Contents

Plot

No known script or plot of the film has surfaced, but the highlight of the film was summarized in the Corsicana Daily Sun as "a roaring Joker comedy in which Dauntless Dan stops the train with one hand and rescues the heroine with the other while the villain hisses between his teeth." [1]

Cast

Production

Few details are known about the production of the film, but it was shot on a beach resort and used a miniature train. [4] Due to the lack of credits, both Louise Fazenda and Henry Mann's roles were provided by Photoplay , in response to an reader inquiry. [2] The film was the first release by the new Joker productions, which was dedicated to producing only short comedy films. [5] Kalton C. Lahue and Samuel Gill credit this production as being Louise Fazenda's film debut. [6] Film historian Richard E. Braff notes that Allen Curtis as the writer, but provides no directorial credits. [3] The single reel production was released on October 25, 1913. [3]

Reception

The new Joker line was billed as one of the "best comedies yet" by advertisers wanting to draw crowds to the theaters, but there may have been truth in the claims because it was cited as one of Max Asher's best roles in a 1914 edition of Moving Picture World. [4] The film had a wide release with showings in Indiana, [5] Kansas, [7] Ohio, [8] North Carolina, [9] Maryland, [10] Pennsylvania, [11] Texas, [12] and in Chicago, Illinois. [13] The Moving Picture World review of the film noted that it was a low comedy suitable for the burlesque houses with "less particular audiences" than finer establishments because one of the minor characters spat frequently on camera, interrupting the humor and thus making it unfit for the best theaters. [14] Another newspaper review claimed that it was one of the best comedies released in months, but ended up referring to the film as "The Chinese Special". [15] The date of disappearance is unknown, but Universal destroyed its remaining copies of silent era films in 1948. [16] The film is presumed to be lost.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy West (silent film actor)</span> American actor

Billy West was a silent film actor, producer, and director. Active during the silent film era, he is best known as the premier Charlie Chaplin impersonator. He was a star in his own right, appearing in more than 100 films for nine different companies. Beyond acting, he also directed short comedies in the 1910s and '20s, and produced films. West retired as an actor in 1935, but remained in the employ of Columbia Pictures into the 1950s.

Haunted Island is a 1928 American silent action film serial directed by Robert F. Hill. The serial was released in 10 chapters of two reels each, with the first episode released on March 26, 1928. Each episode featured a lurid title, such as "The Phantom Rider," "The Haunted Room," "The Fires of Fury," or "Buried Alive." The serial was a remake of the 1918 Universal serial The Brass Bullet, which was based on the story "Pleasure Island." As of October 2009, Haunted Island is considered a lost film. A trailer survives in the Library of Congress collection.

Poor Jake's Demise is a 1913 American silent short slapstick comedy film directed by Allen Curtis featuring Max Asher, Louise Fazenda, and Lon Chaney. The film focuses on Jake who finds his wife in a compromising position with another man and later takes his revenge with a seltzer bottle. It is one of several slapstick comedy films Chaney made for Universal at the start of his career and is also his first credited screen role.

The Sea Urchin is a 1913 American silent short romantic drama film directed by Edwin August and starring Jeanie MacPherson and Lon Chaney. The film was the earliest known character role by Lon Chaney and the first screenplay by MacPherson. The story follows a hunchback fisherman who finds a young girl and raises her into womanhood with the intention of marrying her. The film was released on August 22, 1913, and was played across the United States. The film is presumed lost.

<i>The Blood Red Tape of Charity</i> 1913 film

The Blood Red Tape of Charity is a 1913 American silent short propaganda drama film written, directed and starring Edwin August and produced by Pat Powers. August wrote the scenario with the intent to highlight the evils of organized charity while entertaining the viewers. The film focuses on William Weldon, a telegraph lineman who is injured on the job and cannot work for several weeks. The family seeks aid from charity organizations, but "red tape" regulations prevent the family from receiving timely assistance. A gentleman thief named Marx decides to do one last job for the benefit of the family. He forces a doctor to treat the Weldon's invalid daughter Alice before proceeding to rob a charity ball's attendees. Marx pawns the stolen articles and saves the family before turning himself in to the police.

<i>The Restless Spirit</i> 1913 film

The Restless Spirit is a 1913 American silent short drama film written and directed by Allan Dwan, featuring J. Warren Kerrigan, Lon Chaney, and Pauline Bush. The film is based on Thomas Gray's 1751 poem, Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard, and tells the story of a man who wishes to be a conqueror. A series of illusions follows which show him the futility of conquest when he cannot even conquer his own community.

<i>Almost an Actress</i> 1913 film

Almost an Actress was a 1913 American silent short comedy film directed by Allen Curtis and starring Louise Fazenda, Max Asher, Lon Chaney and Silvion de Jardin. A surviving still from the film shows Lon Chaney as the exasperated cameraman, grimacing in frustration as chaos envelops the film set. The film is now considered lost. It is unknown when the film was lost, but if it was in Universal's vaults it would have been deliberately destroyed along with the remaining copies of Universal's silent era films in 1948.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">L-KO Kompany</span>

The L-KO Kompany, or L-KO Komedies, was an American motion picture company founded by Henry Lehrman that produced silent one-, two- and very occasionally three-reel comedy shorts between 1914 and 1919. The initials L-KO stand for "Lehrman KnockOut".

Richard Smith, also known as Dick Smith, was a screenwriter, actor, and film director. Smith was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and became a comedian active in the vaudeville era. He met his wife Alice Howell in 1910 and the two performed together as Howell and Howell. After working under direction of Mack Sennett at the American Mutoscope and Biograph Company in New York City, Smith moved to Los Angeles, California. Smith and his wife starred in reels together produced by L-KO Kompany.

The Tramp Dentists is a 1913 American silent short comedy film released by the newly formed Joker productions by the Universal Film Manufacturing Company. Directed by Allen Curtis, the film's cast includes Max Asher, Lee Morris, Eddie Boland Joseph Singleton and Bobby Vernon. The film is centered on two tramps, Dusty and Weary, who take over a dentist shop and get rich through their untrained dentistry, extracting teeth with pincers and ice tongs. After earning a large amount of money, the tramps return to their old way of life. Released on October 29, 1913, this film was the second Joker comedy. The film received some criticism for its vulgar humor. The film had a wide national release in the United States, but the film is presumed lost.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emory Johnson</span> American actor, director, producer, and writer

Alfred Emory Johnson was an American actor, director, producer, and writer. As a teenager, he started acting in silent films. Early in his career, Carl Laemmle chose Emory to become a Universal Studio leading man. He also became part of one of the early Hollywood celebrity marriages when he wed Ella Hall.

<i>Barriers of Society</i> 1916 American silent drama film

Barriers of Society is a 1916 American silent drama film directed by Lloyd B. Carleton. Universal based the film on the story written by Clarke Irvine and adapted for the screen by Fred Myton. The feature film stars Dorothy Davenport, Emory Johnson, and an all-star cast of Universal contract players.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Max Asher (actor)</span> American actor (1885–1957)

Max Asher, born Max Ascher, was an American actor whose career spanned the early silent film era to talkies in the early 1930s. His career began on stage. He appeared in various comedic shorts. He was 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m) tall, and weighed more than 200 pounds (91 kg). In the 1920s he transitioned to character actor roles.

Maie B. Havey, born Marie Judge, was an American screenwriter active during the earliest years of Hollywood. During her decade in the industry, she is credited with 70 screenplays.

<i>Her Husbands Faith</i> 1916 movie by Lloyd B. Carleton

Her Husband's Faith is a 1916 American silent short film directed by Lloyd B. Carleton. The film is based on a story by Paul Machette. Eugene De Rue developed the screenplay. This domestic society drama's features Dorothy Davenport, T. D. Crittenden and Emory Johnson.

<i>Two Mothers</i> (1916 film) 1916 movie by Lloyd B. Carleton

Two Mothers is a 1916 American silent short film directed by Lloyd B. Carleton. The film is based on a story by I.A.R. Wylie. Calder Johnstone developed the adaptation for the screen. The drama's features Dorothy Davenport, Alfred Allen and Emory Johnson.

<i>The Unattainable</i> 1916 drama film directed by Lloyd B. Carleton

The Unattainable is a 1916 American Black and White silent drama directed by Lloyd B. Carleton. The film is based on the story by Elwood D. Henning. The photoplay stars Dorothy Davenport and Emory Johnson.

<i>Her Souls Song</i> 1916 movie by Lloyd B. Carleton

Her Soul's Song is a 1916 American silent short film directed by Lloyd B. Carleton. The film is based on a story by Betty Schade. Calder Johnstone developed the screenplay. This drama's features Dorothy Davenport and Emory Johnson.

<i>The Human Gamble</i> 1916 movie directed by Lloyd Carleton

The Human Gamble was a 1916 American silent Short film directed by Lloyd B. Carleton. The film is based on the story and screen adaptation by Calder Johnstone. The drama stars Dorothy Davenport, Emory Johnson, and a cast of Universal contract players.

References

  1. "(Ideal Ad)". Corsicana Daily Sun (Corsicana, Texas). December 18, 1913. p. 7. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 "The Photo-Play Journal (May 1916-Apr 1917) (July edition)". Miller Publishing Company, inc. 1917. p. 28. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Braff, Richard E. (1999). The Universal Silents: A Filmography of the Universal Motion Picture Manufacturing Company, 1912-1929. McFarland. p. 83.
  4. 1 2 "Moving Picture World (Oct-Dec 1914)". New York, Chalmers Publishing Company. 1914. p. 505. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  5. 1 2 "What the Pictures Will Be". The Huntington Herald (Huntington, Indiana). October 24, 1913. p. 2. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  6. Lahue and Gill (1970). Clown Princes and Court Jesters. A. S. Barnes. p. 147.
  7. "At the Hippodrome". The Leavenworth Times (Leavenworth, Kansas). October 26, 1913. p. 10. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  8. "Amusements". The Lima News (Lima, Ohio). October 26, 1913. p. 13. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  9. "(Ad)". Durham Morning Herald (Durham, North Carolina). November 16, 1913. p. 14. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  10. "(The Marvel Ad)". The News (Frederick, Maryland). November 20, 1913. p. 3. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  11. "(Gem Ad)". The Daily Republican (Monongahela, Pennsylvania). December 16, 1913. p. 1. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  12. "(Ideal Ad)". Corsicana Daily Sun (Corsicana, Texas). December 18, 1913. p. 9. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  13. "The Show Houses". Suburbanite Economist (Chicago, Illinois). October 24, 1913. p. 3. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  14. The Moving Picture World, Volume 18, Issues 1-7 (Google eBook). Chalmers Publishing Company. 1913. p. 737.
  15. "(Untitled section)". Tulsa Daily World . Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.] October 28, 1913. p. 10. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  16. Ohlheiser, Abby (December 4, 2013). "Most of America's Silent Films Are Lost Forever". The Wire. Archived from the original on November 5, 2014. Retrieved November 4, 2014.