Volume II: Filmography

THE HEAD WAITER

Thanhouser advertisement for The Head Waiter. (F-690)

December 28, 1913 (Sunday)

Length: 1 reel (1,006 feet)

Character: Comedy

Cast: Arthur Bauer (James, the head waiter), Florence LaBadie (Mrs. Hollywood, a society matron), Al Russell (Carl Hollywood, her husband), Catherine Webb (Mrs. Green, Mrs. Hollywood's mother), Ethyle Cooke (Grace), Nick S. Woods (butler)

ADVERTISEMENT, Reel Life, December 27, 1913:

"Played by Arthur Bauer, with Flo LaBadie as the society girl. The humorous story of a man who thought a sweet young thing was in love with him."

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, December 27, 1913:

"James, the head waiter at Tupelo's cafe, had an exaggerated notion of his importance. He ruled the fashionable restaurant with a rod of iron, and he firmly believed that the women who came there were all in love with him - for how could they resist such brilliancy and such good looks as were his? There was one woman in particular - a young society matron, the leader of an exclusive set - whom he was ambitious, above all the rest, to captivate. One day at luncheon he found her looking at him approvingly - and before leaving, she gave him her visiting card, with 'Please call at eight' written on it. James was convinced that he had made a conquest. He went to Mrs. Hollywood's house, attired in his best, carrying a magnificent bouquet of roses and ferns. To his surprise, however, she invited the rest of the family to look him over - and he was then and there told to 'report for service the next morning.' Though James had been mistaken about the lady, she was quite right about James. For he made her a butler to be proud of - lending great dignity to her establishment."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, January 3, 1914:

"In which a head waiter falls in love with a society woman. She gives him a card and requests him to call, but it is only to offer him employment as a butler. The story awakens more sympathy for the head waiter than laughter at his expense. This proves a fairly amusing offering."

REVIEW, The New York Dramatic Mirror, January 14, 1914:

"This picture has been prettily set. Its secret has been withheld to fling at the audience all in a heap at the end, which is rather an enjoyable innovation. The head waiter mistakes the fair lady's invitation to call, that she may discuss the matter of engaging him as butler in anticipation of the departure of the one whose place he is to fill, for an invitation of a different order."

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