Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford (1921 film)
Encyclopedia
Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford is a 1921
silent
comedy film
directed by Frank Borzage
. The film's script was adapted by writer Luther Reed from the novel "Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford" by George Randolph Chester
and George M. Cohan
, which expanded in turn on a series of short stories by Chester. Produced by Cosmopolitan Productions
and distributed by Paramount Pictures Corporation, the film was released in seven reels on December 4, 1921.
Less than two months after its release, the film was playing at Washington, D.C.
's Knickerbocker Theatre when the roof of that building collapsed under the weight of an unusually large snowfall. Nearly 100 theatergoers were killed, and the storm was named the Knickerbocker Storm
after the fact as a result of the event.
1921 in film
-Top grossing films :-Films released in 1921:U.S.A. unless stated*$10,000 Under a Pillow, silent film directed by Frank Moser*The Ace of Hearts, silent film directed by Wallace Worsley*Across the Divide, silent film directed by John Holloway...
silent
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
comedy film
Comedy film
Comedy film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. They are designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are mostly light-hearted dramas and are made to amuse and entertain the audiences...
directed by Frank Borzage
Frank Borzage
Frank Borzage was an American film director and actor.-Biography:Frank Borzage's father, Luigi Borzaga, was born in Ronzone, in 1859. As a stonemason, he sometimes worked in Switzerland; he met his future wife, Maria Ruegg , where she worked in a silk factory...
. The film's script was adapted by writer Luther Reed from the novel "Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford" by George Randolph Chester
George Randolph Chester
George Randolph Chester was an American writer. He was the author of such popular works such as Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford and "Five Thousand an Hour: How Johnny Gamble won the heiress" that were made into silent films within his lifetime.-Biography:He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on January 27,...
and George M. Cohan
George M. Cohan
George Michael Cohan , known professionally as George M. Cohan, was a major American entertainer, playwright, composer, lyricist, actor, singer, dancer, and producer....
, which expanded in turn on a series of short stories by Chester. Produced by Cosmopolitan Productions
Cosmopolitan Productions
Cosmopolitan Productions, also often referred to as Cosmopolitan Pictures, was an American film company based in New York City from 1918 to 1923 and Hollywood until 1938.- History :...
and distributed by Paramount Pictures Corporation, the film was released in seven reels on December 4, 1921.
Less than two months after its release, the film was playing at Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
's Knickerbocker Theatre when the roof of that building collapsed under the weight of an unusually large snowfall. Nearly 100 theatergoers were killed, and the storm was named the Knickerbocker Storm
Knickerbocker Storm
The Knickerbocker Storm was a blizzard that occurred on January 27–28, 1922 in the upper South and middle Atlantic United States. The storm took its name from the resulting collapse of the Knickerbocker Theatre in Washington, D.C. shortly after 9 p.m...
after the fact as a result of the event.
Plot
As the film opens, 'Blackie' Daw arrives in the town of Battlesburg, Iowa. Daw has little money, but makes it known that J. Rufus Wallingford, a wealthy businessman, will be arriving in town soon and is interested in finding good investments. When Wallingford arrives, he and the townspeople hatch a scheme to build a factory, but they cannot decide what the factory should produce. Wallingford suggests carpet tacks, which he insists will interest other investors, and the townspeople agree. As the film progresses, the company's stockholders begin to doubt Wallingford who is, in fact, a con man. He is able to assuage their doubts. The establishment of the factory begins a real estate boom, and Wallingford and Daw are planning to skip town with the money they've gained. But just before they do, a wealthy financier buys out Wallingford's interest and the factory makes a large sale of carpet tacks. As a result, Wallingford and Daw become wealthy by honest means. They both end the film by finding women to marry, Wallingford to his stenographer Fannie Jasper and Daw to Dorothy Wells, daughter of a prominent townsperson.Cast
- Sam Hardy - J. Rufus Wallingford
- Norman Kerry - 'Blackie' Daw
- Doris KenyonDoris KenyonDoris Kenyon was a popular actress of motion pictures and television.-Youth:She grew up in Syracuse, New York, where her family had a home at 1805 Harrison Street. Her father, Dr. James B. Kenyon, was a Methodist Episcopal Church minister at University Church. Kenyon studied at Packer College...
- Fannie Jasper - Diana Allen - Gertrude Dempsey
- Edgar Nelson - Eddie Lamb
- Billie Dove - Dorothy Wells
- Mac Barnes - Andrea Dempsey
- William T. Hayes - G.W. Battles
- Horace James - Timothy Battles
- John Woodford - Mr. Wells
- Mrs. Charles Willard - Mrs. Dempsey
- Eugene Keith - Harkins
- William Carr - Quigg
- William Robyns - Abe Gunther
- Theodore Westman Jr. - the bellboy
- Patterson Dial - Bessie
- Jerry Sinclair - Judge Hampton
- Benny One - Wallingford’s valet