Volume II: Filmography

THE TRAMP

March 24, 1911 (Friday)

Length: 1,000 feet

Character: Drama

Note: The Utopia Mining Company, which figured in the scenario in this film, was also the name of a company in Get Rich Quick, a Thanhouser film released on May 26, 1911.

SYNOPSIS, The Moving Picture World, March 25, 1911:

"The hobo did not care for money. All he wanted was a chance to live happily, easily and without work. That was why, when he met a runaway convict, he did not surrender him to the authorities. Some years later the hobo again met the convict, seemingly prosperous. Not recognizing his former benefactor, he gruffly refused him alms, but the hobo did not bear him a grudge in that account. In the course of his journey, the hobo met a little girl who gave him food. Then he repaid the favor by saving her from death under the wheels of an auto. He was injured himself, and it was natural that the farmer and the child should take him in, and nurse him back to health.

"The former convict was selling wildcat mining stock, and it was unfortunate for him that he sold some of it to this particular farmer. He was also unlucky because the swindle was exposed before the hobo left town. For the hobo knew him, and while the hobo was willing to aid a convict to escape from prison, he objected to allowing him to rob persons who had done him (the hobo) favors. The swindler got the farmer's money, but the hobo made him put it back. And to be sure it got back, the hobo acted as a messenger boy. He didn't give the farmer a chance to offer a reward, but departed in secret to avoid being thanked. Perhaps he should have stayed and tried to make a new man of himself, and the chance was there waiting for him. But he heard the 'call of the road' and he preferred that to being a 'respected citizen' or a 'rising man.'"

REVIEW, The Billboard, April 1, 1911:

"This picture shows us something new in the 'hobo' series, one that throws aside the story stamping him an out-and-out marauder, and shows him a man of honor, who likes to rove about the country but has not the money necessary to do it in Pullmans. This hobo did not care for money. All he wanted was a chance to live happily, easily and without work. He really hated to see anyone suffer and that is why, when he meets a convict escaping from prison, he takes off his coat and gives it to him, that he may in his humble way do what he can to aid him. He later saves the little girl from being killed by an automobile but has his own leg badly hurt. And it is while he is resting for a few days the former convict appears and tries to sell the poor old man some bogus mining stock in the Utopia Mining Company. Here again our hobo friend proves his dislike for money, for he takes the money away from the crook and returns it to the old man, and will not accept a cent as a reward. A noble heart beat under his ragged shirt, as is probably the case with a great many others."

REVIEW, The Morning Telegraph, March 24, 1911:

"Once again we congratulate the Thanhouser Company for producing a film that is deserving of praise from almost every point of view. The opening scene showing the convict sliding down the outside of the prison wall on a rope is sufficiently dramatic to grip one's attention immediately. Later, when the tramp meets this convict for the second time, the action could have been made clearer. In street suit, standing on a corner conversing with another man who has little or nothing to do with the tale, the scene passed so rapidly that one did not grasps the ex-convict's identity until later, and all this in spite of a catch line just prior thereto. All of which goes to prove how careful a director has to be in telling the vital points of his play. It would have been vastly better to have eliminated the second man and all the business with the papers. Time enough to show them later on. This action was cleared up later though, as it may not have confused all of the viewers, and the film assuredly scored a hit."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, April 8, 1911:

"One feature in this picture will interest as a novelty. Instead of causing the tramp to reform and become a leading village light, they show him listening to the call of the road and send him again upon his way. This makes the picture notable. It changes the conventional ending for such pictures and creates a new impression as the tramp steals away to escape being rewarded for his excellence of conduct. Otherwise the film tells a good story and represents an ordinary tramp doing what many ordinary tramps have done heretofore. The finale is the best part of the story and causes the one who sees it to want to see more."

REVIEW, The New York Dramatic Mirror, March 29, 1911:

"There is a pretty sentiment connected with this story that is generally well produced and shows by contrast that kind deeds only benefit when done for people of noble hearts. The tramp aids an escaping convict and later when asking alms is refused by this same individual. He goes on his way, however, and rescues a little girl from being run over by an automobile, in none too convincing a manner, and is injured himself. He is cared for by her father. The escaped criminal appears upon the scene and inveigles the father into buying worthless stock. When the tramp learns of this he goes to the convent and compels him to restore the money on threat of prison. It is thought perhaps the story would have been stronger and proved its inference had the tramp really brought about the return to prison."

# # #