A Small Town Idol | |
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Directed by | Mack Sennett Erle C. Kenton |
Produced by | Mack Sennett |
Cinematography | Ernie Crocket Perry Evans J. R. Lockwood |
Edited by | Allen McNeil |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Associated First National Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. (re-release) |
Release date |
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Running time | 70 minutes; 7 reels |
Country | United States |
Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
A Small Town Idol is a 1921 American silent feature comedy film produced by Mack Sennett and released through Associated First National. The film stars Ben Turpin and was made and acted by many of the same Sennett personnel from his previous year's Down on the Farm . Sennett and Erle C. Kenton directed. [1] [2]
The picture was Sennett’s biggest undertaking to date, costing $350,000 and required over a year to make. [1]
Sam (Turpin) leaves town after being falsely accused of a crime and becomes a film star in Hollywood working with actress Marcelle Mansfield (Prevost). He returns to his home town hailed as a hero where one of his films is shown in the theater. His rival Jones (Finlayson), who wants Sam's girlfriend Mary (Haver), frames Sam for the shooting of Mary's father. Just as the townspeople are about to lynch Sam, Mary arrives to prove Sam's innocence and the two are reconciled.
uncredited performers
Mack Sennett was a Canadian-American film actor, director, and producer, and studio head, known as the 'King of Comedy'.
Marie Prevost was a Canadian-born film actress. During her 20-year career, she made 121 silent and sound films.
Bernard "Ben" Turpin was an American comedian and actor, best remembered for his work in silent films. His trademarks were his cross-eyed appearance and adeptness at vigorous physical comedy. Turpin worked with notable performers such as Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy, and was a part of the Mack Sennett studio team. He is believed to have been the first filmed "victim" of the pie in the face gag. When sound came to films, Turpin chose to retire, having invested profitably in real estate, although he did do occasional cameos.
José Ramón Gil Samaniego, known professionally as Ramon Novarro, was a Mexican-born American actor. He began his career in silent films in 1917 and eventually became a leading man and one of the top box office attractions of the 1920s and early 1930s. Novarro was promoted by MGM as a "Latin lover" and became known as a sex symbol after the death of Rudolph Valentino.
The Extra Girl is a 1923 American silent comedy film directed by F. Richard Jones and starring Mabel Normand. Produced by Mack Sennett, The Extra Girl followed earlier films about the film industry and also paved the way for later films about Hollywood, such as King Vidor's Show People (1928). It was still unusual in 1923 for filmmakers to make a film about the southern California film industry, then little more than ten years old. Still, many of the Hollywood clichés of small town girls travelling to Hollywood to become film stars are here to reinforce the myths of "Tinseltown".
George O'Hara was an American motion picture actor and screenwriter of the silent film era.
Phyllis Maude Haver was an American actress of the silent film era.
Marceline Day was an American motion picture actress whose career began as a child in the 1910s and ended in the 1930s.
Andrew Allan Clyde was a Scottish-born American film and television actor whose career spanned more than four decades. In 1921 he broke into silent films as a Mack Sennett comic, debuting in On a Summer Day. He was the fifth of six children of theatrical actor, producer and manager John Clyde. Clyde's brother David and his sister Jean also became screen actors.
Harry Peter Gribbon was an American film actor, comedian and director known for The Cameraman (1928), Show People (1928) and Art Trouble (1934). He appeared in more than 140 films between 1915 and 1938. Many of his films from this era have been lost.
Lige Conley was an American actor of the silent era. He appeared in 140 films between 1915 and 1938.
Molly O is a 1921 American silent comedy film starring Mabel Normand and directed by F. Richard Jones.
Trifling Women is a 1922 American silent romantic drama film directed by Rex Ingram. It is credited with boosting the careers of its leads, Barbara La Marr and Ramon Novarro. It has been described as Ingram's most personal film.
Yankee Doodle in Berlin is a 1919 American silent comedy and World War I propaganda film from producer Mack Sennett. It was Sennett's most expensive production up to that time. Hiram Abrams was the original State's Rights marketer before the film's release, but producer Sol Lesser bought the rights in March 1919.
Sennett Bathing Beauties was a bevy of women performing in bathing costumes assembled by film producer Mack Sennett. They appeared in comedy short subjects, in promotional material, and in promotional events such as Venice Beach beauty contests from c. 1915 to 1928. Beginning in 1915, the original trio assembled by Sennett consisted of Evelyn Lynn, Cecile Evans, and Marie Prevost. Hundreds more would follow; many remained nameless.
Down on the Farm is a 1920 silent film feature-length rural comedy produced by Mack Sennett, starring Louise Fazenda and featuring Harry Gribbon, James Finlayson and Billy Armstrong.
Huddle is a 1932 American pre-Code film directed by Sam Wood and starring Ramon Novarro, Madge Evans, Ralph Graves and Una Merkel. This was the first of two films Ramon Novarro would make in 1932, and his first after appearing in the acclaimed, successful Mata Hari.
Love, Honor and Behave is a 1920 American silent comedy film directed by F. Richard Jones and Erle C. Kenton and starring Ford Sterling, Phyllis Haver and Marie Prevost.
Salome vs. Shenandoah is a 1919 American silent film comedy short directed by Ray Grey, Erle C. Kenton, and Ray Hunt. It starred Ben Turpin, Charles Murray, and Phyllis Haver. It was produced by Mack Sennett and distributed by Famous Players-Lasky and Paramount Pictures.
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