Volume II: Filmography

BRAINS VS. BRAWN

December 15, 1912 (Sunday)

Length: 1 reel

Character: Comedy

Cast: Riley Chamberlin, Marguerite Snow, Harry Benham

Notes: 1. The title appeared in expanded form as Brains Versus Brawn in some notices. In The Motion Picture Story Magazine, July 1913, the title was listed erroneously as Brains and Brawn. 2. An expanded story by Virginia West, based upon the plot synopsis, appeared in The Moving Picture News, December 14, 1912.

SYNOPSIS, The Moving Picture World, December 14, 1912:

"Among the suitors of a wealthy widow was a middle-aged scientist, and while the woman was glad to regard him as a friend, she did not see how she could ever accept him as a husband. The widow was a great lover of athletics, and one day she dragged the professor to witness a meet. As they were about to return, an effort was made to rob the widow, and only because of the bravery of one of the young athletes was the crook captured and the pocketbook recovered. In a few days it dawned upon the professor that while he might be a big potato in the field of science, he was only a small lemon in the garden of love. Brooding over this one evening, may explain why he dreamed that he was transported to the time of the Caesars, and called upon to fight in the arena. Brute strength could not save him, for that he didn't have, but he called the resources of science to his aid. He astonished Caesar by offering to fight a gang of gladiators single-handed, the only proviso being that he should select his own weapons. The boon being granted, the scientist constructed a number of neat little dynamite bombs, literally wiped up the arena with his opponents, much to the amazement and satisfaction of Caesar. When the scientist awoke he regarded his dream as a warning that only by scientific management could he hope to win the lady of his heart. Soon the chance came for him to distinguish himself, and he availed himself of it. The rich widow received a letter signed 'Black Hand' calling upon her to pay over $10,000. The scientist promised to rectify matters, but did not go into details. He laid a little scientific trap, and astonished the widow by nabbing the criminal and several policemen while some distance from the scene of the action itself. The athlete was confounded, for he was the criminal, and he passed out of the widow's life and entered into the service of the state. The widow then decided to marry the scientist."

REVIEW, The Morning Telegraph, December 22, 1912:

"For sure originally this picture-play is noteworthy and as an entertaining comedy drama is well worth seeing. It is staged admirably and as a story more than holds its own. A scientist is in love with a widow, but he is outshone by an athletic young man. The professor dreams that he is living in the days of Rome, and not being competent as an athlete to combat with the fighters of those strenuous days, resorts to his knowledge of science to assist him. Accordingly he goes into the arena and cleans up a band of gladiators by the use of two small bombs. He wakes from his dream realizing that he must use scientific methods to beat his rival. The widow receives a Black Hand letter demanding money, and the professor not only prevents the threatened acts of the supposed gang, but rounds up the real criminal, who is none other than the athletic rival. Thus he wins her hand. The Roman scenes are well pictured, and for a dream insertion makes an undecided novelty."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, December 28, 1912:

"Riley Chamberlin and Marguerite Snow try to interest in this comedy, which seems to be in several parts. In the first the two mentioned go to some athletic games, where a crook tries to get away with Marguerite's purse, but a husky athlete restores it. Then the professor dreams he is in ancient Rome, and to the insistence of Caesar that he lick somebody he offers to fight six, choosing his own weapons. He picks a bomb. Then by means of electric currents the professor has fun with a blackhander. There are laughs."

REVIEW, The New York Dramatic Mirror, December 18, 1912:

"We cannot understand the logic of this photocomedy. The author builds up premise and secures our interest and sympathy for the young man of brawn, only to shatter our illusions in the end by displaying him as a common robber. The man was first brought to the attention of the widow by his act of chivalry in saving her purse from a thief, and it is only natural that brawn should receive her admiration, for brawn behaves himself nicely until the final. The man of brains proves a most amusing and fascinating character in the picture. He was a trifle aged, but he loved the widow in spite of his book learning. After a dream - a rare bit of comedy itself - wherein he lives during the Roman period, and, as a gladiator, subdues six soldiers through his knowledge rather than strength, he decides to utilize his power in the present case. An opportunity offers itself when the girl receives a 'Black Hand' note demanding a large sum of money to be left at a certain old tree. Brains sets a trap for the agent, who later turns out to be Brawn. So it is not a fair test after all, and the spectators feel a slight tinge of disappointment at the finish."

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