Volume II: Filmography

DOUGHNUTS

Working title: CONDUCTOR 786

(Falstaff)

June 17, 1916 (Friday)

Length: 1 reel

Character: Comedy

Director: William A. Howell

Cast: Riley Chamberlin (Conductor 786), Gladys Leslie (his wife), Frances Keyes (her mother), Walter Hiers (thief)

Location: Jacksonville, Florida

Note: This film was originally titled Conductor 786. Then it was realized that there was an earlier Thanhouser film of this name (released August 23, 1912), and the title was changed to Doughnuts. 2. This was the last regular Thanhouser release on the Mutual Program, made while Thanhouser was still a part of the Mutual Film Corporation.

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, June 10, 1916:

"Conductor 786 obtains a vacation which he spends on the beach. He makes the acquaintance of Dora and her mother. He immediately strikes up a quarrel with the landlord. The landlord throws his trunk out through the window. Dora's mother suggests that he needs a home of his own. He proposes to Dora. She accepts. Conductor 786 breaks his teeth over her dreadful doughnuts. Dora is too wise to eat her own cooking. She hands her portion to the dog. Conductor 786 reaches the office of the M.D., but gets cold feet at the door. Conductor 786 is about to make himself scarce when the doctor forces him into his office. He mixes him a potion composed of three different kinds of poison. The conductor dives through the window. He makes for home. He has a terrible dream. A devil, who has the doctor's face, insists on his taking the medicine in hell which he has refused on earth. A struggle ensues. The conductor awakes to find himself at sixes and sevens with the pillows. His wife rushes into the room with the news that a thief has invaded the kitchen. The conductor makes the thief absolutely helpless from the food he has taken from the pantry. Ultimately they, as well as the dog, recover. The thief is arrested just as he is about to leave the hospital. Conductor 786 and his dog leave for home. Wifey is overjoyed at his return. They are met at the door by a ponderous Negress carrying savory dishes on her arms. She is the new cook wifey has engaged during his illness."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, June 24, 1916:

"Riley Chamberlin appears in this as a streetcar conductor on a vacation. He marries a girl who cannot cook, and her food brings him weird nightmares. The dog and the fat boy eat her doughnuts and both are sent to the hospital. A light comedy subject with smiles running all through it."

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