The Man on the Box (1925 film)

The Man on the Box
Lobby card
Directed by	Charles Reisner
Screenplay by	Charles Logue
Based on	The Man on the Box by Harold MacGrath
Starring	Sydney Chaplin David Butler Alice Calhoun Cathleen Calhoun Theodore Lorch Helene Costello
Cinematography	Nicholas T. Barrows
Edited by	Ray Enright
Production company	Warner Bros.
Distributed by	Warner Bros.
Release date	October 11, 1925 (1925-10-11)
Running time	80 minutes
Country	United States
Language	Silent (English intertitles)
Budget	$163,000 [1]
Box office	$488,000 [1]

The full film

The Man on the Box is a 1925 American comedy film directed by Charles Reisner and written by Charles Logue. It is based on the 1904 novel The Man on the Box by Harold MacGrath. The film stars Sydney Chaplin, David Butler, Alice Calhoun, Cathleen Calhoun, Theodore Lorch, and Helene Costello. The film was released by Warner Bros. on October 11, 1925. ^{[2] [3] [4]}

Plot

Bob Warburton, a wealthy young bachelor, falls in love with Betty Annesly and, in order to be close to her, is hired as a gardener by her father, Colonel Annesley. However, the girl discovers the trick of her admirer and, to teach him a lesson, insists that the new gardener serve at the table during an important lunch. Bob refuses the task and so is replaced by Count Karloff's butler who offers, for the occasion, to lend it to the landlord. Bob realizes that Badkoff, the butler, is an enemy agent tasked with stealing secret helicopter plans from Betty's father. Disguised as a waitress, Bob puts a spoke in the wheel of the spy, saving the precious documents. Eventually, he also wins over beautiful Betty, taking her to the altar.

Cast

• Sydney Chaplin as Bob Warburton
• David Butler as Bob's Brother-in-Law
• Alice Calhoun as Betty Annesly
• Cathleen Calhoun as Mrs. Lampton
• Theodore Lorch as Mr. Lampton
• Helene Costello as Bob's Sister
• E. J. Ratcliffe as Colonel Annesly
• Charles Reisner as Badkoff
• Charles K. Gerrard as Count Karaloff
• Henry A. Barrows as Warburton Sr.

Box office

According to Warner Bros records the film earned $425,000 domestically and $63,000 foreign. ^[1]

Preservation

Abridged copies of The Man on the Box are held by George Eastman House and UCLA Film & Television Archive. ^[5]

References

1. Warner Bros financial information in The William Schaefer Ledger. See Appendix 1, Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, (1995) 15:sup1, 1-31 p 4 DOI: 10.1080/01439689508604551
2. "The Man on the Box (1925) - Overview". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
3. Janiss Garza. "The Man on the Box (1925) - Charles "Chuck" Riesner". AllMovie. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
4. "The Man on the Box". Catalog.afi.com. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
5. "The Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: The Man On The Box". memory.loc.gov. Archived from the original on July 12, 2020. Retrieved August 28, 2025.

External links

• The Man on the Box at IMDb