The Incorrigible Dukane
Encyclopedia
The Incorrigible Dukane is a 1915
silent
dramedy produced by Daniel Frohman
and released by Famous Players-Lasky
and starred John Barrymore
in his fifth feature film. The film was directed by James Durkin. It was also a "photo-adaptation of the humorous story by George C. Shedd
". It is the earliest known surviving John Barrymore film.
) to manage construction and to deal with the dam's impact on the locals, hoping that the task will help his son mature. However, enroute to the construction site, Jimmy is waylaid by a vagabond, and his clothing and identification are stolen. Dressed in the tramp's clothes, Jimmy finally meets with the construction foreman Corbetson (Stewart Baird), who skoffs at his claimed identity and instead puts him to work with a pick and shovel. During his labors, Jimmy learns that Corbetson has been using sub-par materials and embezzing monies from Dukane Sr, and that to hide his crime, Corbetson is planning to blow up the dam.
described it as a "thoroughly amusing filmatisation" and that it had "some exciting scenes during the industrial flare-up and plenty of dramatic and humorous happenings". The Day called the film a "straightforward story told in a hearty boyish style with all the merriment of youth crowded into the four parts required to unfold the plot". The Meriden Morning Record considered it to be a "lively and very enjoyable photoplay". The Grey River Argus said that it was a "splendid drama" that, in terms of Barrymore, "gives us that legitimate actor in his happiest vein". The Ohinemuri Gazette considered it to be a "picture that will be enjoyed by everyone". The New York Review
called the film the "best acrobatic show in town".
1915 in film
The year 1915 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 8 : D.W Griffith's The Birth of a Nation premieres at Clune's Auditorium Los Angeles and breaks box office and film length records, running at a total length of 3 hrs 10 minutes.* June 18 : The Motion Picture Directors...
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...
dramedy produced by Daniel Frohman
Daniel Frohman
Daniel Frohman was a Jewish American theatrical producer and manager, and an early film producer.Frohman was born in Sandusky, Ohio...
and released by Famous Players-Lasky
Famous Players-Lasky
Famous Players-Lasky Corporation was an American motion picture and distribution company created on July 19, 1916 from the merger of Adolph Zukor's Famous Players Film Company -- originally formed by Zukor as Famous Players in Famous Plays -- and Jesse L...
and starred John Barrymore
John Barrymore
John Sidney Blyth , better known as John Barrymore, was an acclaimed American actor. He first gained fame as a handsome stage actor in light comedy, then high drama and culminating in groundbreaking portrayals in Shakespearean plays Hamlet and Richard III...
in his fifth feature film. The film was directed by James Durkin. It was also a "photo-adaptation of the humorous story by George C. Shedd
George Clifford Shedd
George Clifford Shedd was an early 20th century American writer. Several of his novels were adapted into films, including The Incorrigible Dukane , and Cold Steel , from his novel In the Shadow of the Hills.Shedd was born in Ashland, Nebraska in 1877, the son of Hibbard H...
". It is the earliest known surviving John Barrymore film.
Synopsis
Through mistaken identity, a rich contractor's son is impressed into the labor force building his own father's dam at Silver Peak. When construction of a dam in Silver Peak, Colorado threatens their land, rancher Crofton (William MacDonald) and his daughter Enid (Helen Weir) confront New York contractor James Dukane, Sr. (William T. Carleton). Dukane sends his son James "Jimmy" Dukane, Jr. (John BarrymoreJohn Barrymore
John Sidney Blyth , better known as John Barrymore, was an acclaimed American actor. He first gained fame as a handsome stage actor in light comedy, then high drama and culminating in groundbreaking portrayals in Shakespearean plays Hamlet and Richard III...
) to manage construction and to deal with the dam's impact on the locals, hoping that the task will help his son mature. However, enroute to the construction site, Jimmy is waylaid by a vagabond, and his clothing and identification are stolen. Dressed in the tramp's clothes, Jimmy finally meets with the construction foreman Corbetson (Stewart Baird), who skoffs at his claimed identity and instead puts him to work with a pick and shovel. During his labors, Jimmy learns that Corbetson has been using sub-par materials and embezzing monies from Dukane Sr, and that to hide his crime, Corbetson is planning to blow up the dam.
Cast
- John BarrymoreJohn BarrymoreJohn Sidney Blyth , better known as John Barrymore, was an acclaimed American actor. He first gained fame as a handsome stage actor in light comedy, then high drama and culminating in groundbreaking portrayals in Shakespearean plays Hamlet and Richard III...
as James Dukane Jr. - William T. Carleton as James Dukane Sr.
- Helen Weir as Enid Crofton
- Stewart Baird as Corbetson
- William MacDonald as Enid's father
- William Meech as Lantry
Style
The Day said that the film had "crystal clear photography [and] homey, every day realistic and intensely interesting settings" that made it a "superb production". Joseph W. Garton said in his book, The film acting of John Barrymore, that the "direction and photography are adequate" and that the "well developed narrative line is unusually strong".Critical reception
The New Zealand TruthNew Zealand Truth
The New Zealand Truth is a tabloid newspaper published weekly in New Zealand. It started as the Auckland Truth in 1887.Described as "scandal mongering" and "scurrilious", it has employed well-known New Zealand authors, e.g. Robin Hyde in 1928....
described it as a "thoroughly amusing filmatisation" and that it had "some exciting scenes during the industrial flare-up and plenty of dramatic and humorous happenings". The Day called the film a "straightforward story told in a hearty boyish style with all the merriment of youth crowded into the four parts required to unfold the plot". The Meriden Morning Record considered it to be a "lively and very enjoyable photoplay". The Grey River Argus said that it was a "splendid drama" that, in terms of Barrymore, "gives us that legitimate actor in his happiest vein". The Ohinemuri Gazette considered it to be a "picture that will be enjoyed by everyone". The New York Review
The New York Review of Books
The New York Review of Books is a fortnightly magazine with articles on literature, culture and current affairs. Published in New York City, it takes as its point of departure that the discussion of important books is itself an indispensable literary activity...
called the film the "best acrobatic show in town".