Volume II: Filmography

PAUL'S POLITICAL PULL

(Falstaff)

March 28, 1916 (Tuesday)

Length: 1 reel

Character: Comedy

Director: William A. Howell

Assistant director: William Sullivan

Scenario: Lloyd F. Lonergan

Cameraman: George K. Hollister

Cast: Walter Hiers (Paul Jasper), Riley Chamberlin, Norman J. Acker (brother of Paul), Joseph Diamond (brother of Paul)

Location: Jacksonville, Florida; Jacksonville City Hall

Note: The Political Pull of John, released December 19, 1915, has a title in the same vein.

ARTICLE, The Florida Metropolis, February 9, 1916:

"Paul's Political Pull is the name of the new Falstaff picture in which Fatty Hiers is being featured. Arrangements are being made with Mayor Bowden for Fatty to use the City Hall and all the officials today. If Fatty had the pull that his picture shows, some of our perfectly good councilmen would have to recede into the background."

ARTICLE, Sunday Times-Union, February 13, 1916:

"Paul's Political Pull, Director Howell's new comedy, promises to be the funniest Falstaff yet. Fatty Heirs is starred, ably supported by Riley Chamberlin, N.J. Acker, and Joe Diamond. Paul is the youngest of three brothers and an estate is left to the one making the best showing during the month of August. While the older brothers rustle around for hard labor, working in a restaurant, and carrying piano boxes, little Paul (Fatty) meets a politician, who, when he heard of the money involved, gets Paul a job keeping the snow off the city hall porch during the month of August. Paul is entertained with ice cream, a colored boy to fan him, and all he has to do is to take life easy. At the end of the month the money is awarded to Paul, and the politician is able to again be elected councilman of his ward with Paul's money."

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, March 25, 1916:

"Once upon a time there was a boy who had two elder brothers who were very cruel to him. They made little Paul do all the work. When they went fishing it was Paul who dug all the worms and baited the hooks and carried the tackle to and from the house. One day a letter came addressed to the brothers. It notified them that their wealthy old uncle was dead and had left his money to the brother 'who, during the month of August, should work most steadily.' Neither of them gave one thought to poor little Paul. So the cruel brothers went out to look for work. Paul's only friend was Sport Costigan, a ward heeler, and to him he took his troubles. The cruel brothers, unused to work, had difficulty in finding a job. And all through the month of August little Paul could be seen daily, from nine to five, in front of the City Hall, seated on a camp chair. The month of probation ended. Paul and the ward heeler entered. The ward heeler introduced Paul, who presented a letter to the executor. This message was from the office of the City Board of Improvements. 'This is to certify that from August 1st to August 31st Paul Jasper has been employed by this department, assigned to keep the snow off the sidewalk in front of the City Hall.' The executor gave the estate to Paul."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, April 1, 1916:

"A comedy number in which two brothers impose upon their fat younger brother. The latter endures their cruel treatment, but when the uncle says he will leave his money to the one who does the most work, he contrives to win the prize. The humor is of a quiet sort and proves quite interesting."

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