The Poor Simp

The Poor Simp
The Poor Simp
Directed by	Victor Heerman
Written by	Sarah Y. Mason ; J. Shakespeare Sap;
Produced by	Lewis J. Selznick
Starring	Owen Moore ; Nell Craig ; Harry L. Rattenberry ;
Cinematography	Merritt B. Gerstad ; Glen MacWilliams ;
Edited by	Duncan Mansfield
Production; company	Selznick Pictures
Distributed by	Selznick Pictures
Release date	August 20, 1920;
Running time	50 minutes
Country	United States
Language	Silent (English intertitles)

Last updated October 27, 2025

The Poor Simp is a 1920 American silent comedy film directed by Victor Heerman and starring Owen Moore, Nell Craig, and Harry L. Rattenberry.^[1]

Plot

As described in a film magazine review,^[2] Melville G. Carruthers, a wealthy young man, is in love with Grace Adams. He plucks up enough courage to propose to her after knowing her for a long time, but makes a fiasco of it when the crucial time comes. Another admirer enters and monopolizes her attention. Strolling into the slums, Melville meets Sadie Kelly, gets into a rowdy fight, is bumped on the head, and his mind temporarily affected. Grace and her mother, being notified, hurry to his apartment only to find him having his head being gently bathed by Sadie. The two misunderstand the situation and leave indignantly. After a number of complications and humorous situations, it all comes out right and Melville makes a successful proposal after all.

Cast

Owen Moore as Melville G. Carruthers
Nell Craig as Grace Adams
Harry L. Rattenberry as Peter Adams
Vera Lewis as Mrs. Adams
Herbert Prior as Dr. Crawford
Lassie Young as Sadie Kelly
Tom Kennedy as Jim Donnelly
Douglas Carter as Clarence

References

↑ Walker p. 568
↑ "Tried and Proved Pictures: The Poor Simp". Exhibitors Trade Review. 15 (10). New York: Exhibitors Review Publishing Corporation: 42. January 26, 1924. Retrieved August 2, 2022. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .

Bibliography

Brent E. Walker. Mack Sennett’s Fun Factory: A History and Filmography of His Studio and His Keystone and Mack Sennett Comedies, with Biographies of Players and Personnel. McFarland, 2013. ISBN 9780786477111

External links

The Poor Simp at IMDb

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[1] Walker p. 568

[2] "Tried and Proved Pictures: The Poor Simp". Exhibitors Trade Review. 15 (10). New York: Exhibitors Review Publishing Corporation: 42. January 26, 1924. Retrieved August 2, 2022. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .

[1]

[2]