Volume II: Filmography

DON'T PINCH MY PUP

September 8, 1912 (Sunday)

Length: 1 reel

Character: Comedy-drama

Cast: Marie Eline (Tim, the newsboy), Riley Chamberlin (the newsboy's father), Howard Kyle

ADVERTISEMENT, The Moving Picture World, September 7, 1912:

"Don't Pinch My Pup - this was the ultimatum that a little newsie issued to the police department. He had learned that they would 'pinch' his pup under the new dog license laws, and sent them his defiance. They laughed at it - but made him glad that he sent it."

SYNOPSIS, The Moving Picture World, September 7, 1912:

"The boy's parents were poor, and he helped out the family income by selling newspapers. He was a lonesome little chap, and had no pals among the other chaps, and although he never admitted it openly he longed for someone who would love him and be a chum. While at work one day, the youngster met a dog, seemingly homeless, and most certainly hungry. The boy divided his scanty noonday meal with the dog, and was delightfully happy when the dog refused to go away, insisting upon accompanying the child home. The newsboy found that his joy was not shared by the members of his family. They regarded the animal as an unnecessary luxury, but finally consented to take him in. Then for a few days the child was happy, for he had something to lavish his affection upon. Anxiety came to him, however, when his father told him that a crusade against unlicensed dogs was to be instituted, and that all animals without tags would promptly be captured and destroyed. The amount of the license fee was trifling, but it was far beyond the financial ability of the newsboy. After vainly trying to borrow money from his mother, the youngster spent his spare time doing odd jobs, and slowly but surely his secret hoard mounted.

"The trouble was, however, that there was a time limit. The day before it expired the boy counted over his money and found that he was 21 cents short of the necessary sum. He had learned by patient inquiry that the law would not permit a partial payment, and his little heart was filled with bitterness. He had done all he could, and there was nothing left now but to defy the authorities. Accordingly he wrote a 'warning' to the police. In it he informed the police that he had labored hard and faithfully, but had been unable to amass the sum necessary for a dog license. A great big policeman saw the child shove this threatening message under the station house door. He read it, then called his companions, and they also perused the document. Perhaps they were afraid; perhaps their hearts were touched. Anyhow, very shortly afterwards, they marched around to the boy's house and made him happy for a year by presenting him with a collar and a license good for one good dog that a little newsboy loved."

REVIEW, The Morning Telegraph, September 15, 1912:

"Just the sort of human picture one enjoys seeing over again. It is about a little newsboy, the son of poor folk who live in a typical tenement house in a big city. The boy picks up a stray dog who becomes his boon companion, and when he learns that the city is going to demand a license fee of $2 for every dog allowed to be kept as a pet he saves and scrapes every penny until he has accumulated about $1.79. He then goes to a police station, where he makes his plea in a childish scrawl which so pleases the policemen that they pass around the hat and rise more than enough for the difference. In every sense it is delightfully presented, is entirely lifelike and full of strong heart interest. The characterizations are natural in every sense, individual to a degree and never overdone nor exaggerated for the sake of comedy. See it and you will recommend it to your friends, and if you are an exchange man you will buy a copy and if an exhibitor you will order it. Once shown it will be called for again."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, September 21, 1912:

"The purists may complain about the slang in this title, but to Young America it will have the virtue of terseness. The story is well told. It involves the child of a laborer who befriended a stray dog - a little fellow. In order to keep the police from getting the dog for non-payment of the dog license the youngster saved his pennies as he earned them. A boy and a dog will always appeal to an audience. There is no doubt that this pair will."

REVIEW, The New York Dramatic Mirror, September 11, 1912: This review is reprinted in the narrative section of the present work.

# # #