The First Auto
Encyclopedia
The First Auto is a 1927
film about the transition from horses to cars and the rift it causes in one family. It stars Russell Simpson
, Charles Emmett Mack
, and Patsy Ruth Miller
. While mostly silent, the film does feature a few spoken words and some laughter per the Vitaphone
system.
Bob leaves to find a job in nearby Detroit. There, he is present when famed driver Barney Oldfield
(playing himself) breaks the speed record, driving a mile in a minute (a feat Oldfield was the first to accomplish, in 1903). Meanwhile, Hank goes bankrupt and has to sell off all his possessions to satisfy his creditors.
One day in 1905, Bob returns without telling his father to compete in the first car race in the county. A jealous rival for Rose's affections convinces Hank to tamper with a car on display so that it will explode. When Bob sends Rose to bring his father to the race, Hank is horrified to discover he has sabotaged his son's car. They hurry to the track, but are too late. Bob's car crashes and burns. Hank is convinced he has killed Bob and burns down his livery stable, but Rose brings word that Bob is expected to live. Relieved, Hank gives up his hopeless resistance and joins his son in his car manufacturing company.
of Turner Classic Movies
, his car was struck broadside by a wagon on a country road. His co-star Patsy Ruth Miller had turned down a ride with him that day because she was not needed for filming until later. The last scene shows Hank at a car race, while Bob and Rose are away at a horse show.
1927 in film
-Events:*January 10 - Fritz Lang's science-fiction fantasy Metropolis premieres in Germany.*April 7 - Abel Gance's Napoleon often considered his best known and greatest masterpiece, premiers at the Paris Opéra and would demonstrate techniques and equipment that would not be used for years to...
film about the transition from horses to cars and the rift it causes in one family. It stars Russell Simpson
Russell Simpson (actor)
Russell McCaskill Simpson was an American character actor.Born in San Francisco, California, Simpson is best known for his work in the films of John Ford and, in particular, for his portrayal of Pa Joad in The Grapes of Wrath in 1940.Simpson reportedly prospected for gold in Alaska in his youth,...
, Charles Emmett Mack
Charles Emmett Mack
Charles Emmett Mack , was an American film actor during the silent film era. He appeared in 17 films between 1916 and 1927. Born Charles Emmett McNerney in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Mack was a protégé of pioneering film director D. W...
, and Patsy Ruth Miller
Patsy Ruth Miller
Patsy Ruth Miller was an American film actress.After being discovered by the actress Alla Nazimova at a Hollywood party, Patsy Ruth Miller got her first break with a small role in Camille, which starred Rudolph Valentino...
. While mostly silent, the film does feature a few spoken words and some laughter per the Vitaphone
Vitaphone
Vitaphone was a sound film process used on feature films and nearly 1,000 short subjects produced by Warner Bros. and its sister studio First National from 1926 to 1930. Vitaphone was the last, but most successful, of the sound-on-disc processes...
system.
Plot
In 1895, champion horse racer and livery stable owner Hank Armstrong (Russell Simpson) is greatly disturbed by the advent of the "horseless carriage" in Maple City. He mocks Elmer Hays, a car manufacturer, when he states in a public lecture that the days of the horse are numbered and that a car will one day go 30 miles an hour. However, Armstrong's efforts are in vain. He quarrels with his friends when they start purchasing the machines and is only stopped from horsewhipping his own car-mad son Bob (Charles Emmett Mack) by the timely appearance of Bob's girlfriend Rose Robbins (Patsy Ruth Miller).Bob leaves to find a job in nearby Detroit. There, he is present when famed driver Barney Oldfield
Barney Oldfield
Berna Eli "Barney" Oldfield was an automobile racer and pioneer. He was born on a farm on the outskirts of Wauseon, Ohio. He was the first man to drive a car at 60 miles per hour on an oval...
(playing himself) breaks the speed record, driving a mile in a minute (a feat Oldfield was the first to accomplish, in 1903). Meanwhile, Hank goes bankrupt and has to sell off all his possessions to satisfy his creditors.
One day in 1905, Bob returns without telling his father to compete in the first car race in the county. A jealous rival for Rose's affections convinces Hank to tamper with a car on display so that it will explode. When Bob sends Rose to bring his father to the race, Hank is horrified to discover he has sabotaged his son's car. They hurry to the track, but are too late. Bob's car crashes and burns. Hank is convinced he has killed Bob and burns down his livery stable, but Rose brings word that Bob is expected to live. Relieved, Hank gives up his hopeless resistance and joins his son in his car manufacturing company.
Cast
- Russell Simpson as Hank Armstrong
- Frank CampeauFrank CampeauFrank Campeau was an American actor. He appeared in 93 films between 1911 and 1940.He was born in Detroit, Michigan and died in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles.-Selected filmography:* Fighting Caravans...
as Mayor Sam Robbins - Gibson GowlandGibson GowlandGibson Gowland was an English film actor.Early sources had his birth place place as Newcastle. He started work as a sailor and later became mate of a ship...
as The Blacksmith - Anders RandolfAnders RandolfAnders Randolf was a Danish American actor in American films from 1913 to 1931.Anders was born in Viborg, Denmark where he became a professional soldier in the Danish army and a world-class swordsman. He immigrated to the United States in 1895, quickly giving in to a lifelong passion for the...
as The Auctioneer - William DemarestWilliam DemarestCarl William Demarest was an American character actor. He frequently played crusty but good-hearted roles.-Early life and career:...
as The Village Cut-up - Paul Kruger as Steve Bentley
- Douglas GerrardDouglas GerrardDouglas Gerrard was an Irish actor and film director of the silent and early sound era. He appeared in 116 films between 1913 and 1949. He also directed 23 films between 1916 and 1920....
as Squire Rufus Stebbins, the richest man in town and the first to buy a car - Charles Emmett Mack as Bob Armstrong (as Chas. E. Mack)
- Patsy Ruth Miller as Rose Robbins
- Barney Oldfield as Himself - the Master Driver
Production
Mack was killed in an accident while driving to work, prior to the end of filming. According to Robert OsborneRobert Osborne
Robert Jolin Osborne is an American actor and film historian best known as the primary host for Turner Classic Movies, and previously a host of The Movie Channel.-Life and career:...
of Turner Classic Movies
Turner Classic Movies
Turner Classic Movies is a movie-oriented cable television channel, owned by the Turner Broadcasting System subsidiary of Time Warner, featuring commercial-free classic movies, mostly from the Turner Entertainment and MGM, United Artists, RKO and Warner Bros. film libraries...
, his car was struck broadside by a wagon on a country road. His co-star Patsy Ruth Miller had turned down a ride with him that day because she was not needed for filming until later. The last scene shows Hank at a car race, while Bob and Rose are away at a horse show.