Volume II: Filmography

THE GOLF CADDIE'S DOG

March 22, 1912 (Friday)

Length: 1 reel (split with The Taming of Mary on the first part of the reel)

Character: Comedy

Director: George O. Nichols

Cameraman: A.H. Moses, Jr.

Cast: James Cruze (the lover)

Location: On a St. Augustine, Florida golf course

SYNOPSIS, The Moving Picture News, March 9, 1912:

"The man was a beautiful golf player, the woman was a beautiful girl, but so far as her playing was concerned, well, the less said about it the better. The man, however, loved her for the foozles she made, for love is blind, even on the golf links. They are playing over the course in St. Augustine, and although the twosomes were one-sided Mr. Bogey had nothing on them when it came to the love match. Their darkey caddy looked on and approved, for he greatly admired the young man and treated the girl with tolerance, because a good player seemed to be very fond of her. Then came the quarrel. The girl could not get out of a bunker and, in a rage because the man laughed, she decided to get out of her engagement. It was a sad blow for the man and equally sad for the caddy. He had been 'carrying double' but now he had lost two patrons at one fell swoop. The girl came to the links one day, hired the caddy and started around by herself. After a short time she met a young man, sent her clubs back to the house, and flirted with her new admirer. The caddy did not approve. He objected to the second suitor; first, because he could not play golf, and, second, because he was a dude. Lastly, he had a very poor opinion of the girl who would desert a hero to accept the attentions of a man who couldn't play golf.

"On the way back to the clubhouse the caddy thought deeply. He saw his hero 'teeing off,' and decided to start something. So he went home, got his 'trifling' dog and made him mad. Then he turned loose on the links, gave the alarm and waited for developments. The outcome was as he expected. The 'dude' deserted the girl and climbed a tree. The 'hero' who is not in the plot, rescued the maiden in distress, restored himself to her good graces, and the caddy again found pleasure and profit in 'carrying double.' How do you make a good natured dog mad? Give a darkey caddy some hot water and plenty soap and he will tell you, if he feels so inclined. There is nothing magical about it, but it can be worked most effectively and is proven in this case."

REVIEW, The Morning Telegraph, March 24, 1912:

"For a short comic this is highly amusing and exceedingly original in its conception. A man woos a girl on a golf course and wins her. Later they quarrel, but through it all their little Negro caddy plans to bring them together once more. The man who had 'cut out' the lover now takes her over the links, and the caddy takes his dog, whitewashes him with suds to make him look as if he were mad and foaming at the mouth, and then sicks him at the pair. The man climbs a tree with the girl, and then the real lover is tipped off and he 'bravely' drives the dog away and rescues his loved one. It is cleverly done throughout, and the little Negro boy deserves a line of praise for his good acting."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, April 26, 1912:

"A pretty picture telling a love story, many of whose scenes are on the golf links very near the old fort at St. Augustine, Florida. The darkey caddy was the means of recruiting two lovers who had quarreled. The scenes, the simple, natural acting, the whole atmosphere of the picture are pleasing. The photographs are good. The release is well worthwhile; spectators will like it."

REVIEW, The New York Dramatic Mirror, March 27, 1912:

"An amusing and suggestive little comedy romance of the golf links is represented in this film. On the second tee they are engaged. At the bunker they quarrel, and the next day they play golf alone, while she meets another man; but the little Negro caddy conceives an idea to bring them together. He whitewashes his dog and lets him loose on the links. Then the young man she had chosen in his stead really runs. He flew up a tree, leaving her to scramble up behind; but she was rescued by her faithful first love, and no more need be said."

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