Volume II: Filmography

THE SKATING MASTER

February 15, 1914 (Sunday)

Length: 1 reel (989 feet)

Character: Drama-comedy; "Comedy love story"

Scenario: Lloyd F. Lonergan

Cast: "Miss Beautiful" (Helen Knight, the village belle), James Dunne (Roger Woodward, her devoted admirer), Billy Noel (Harold Moore, the skating master), Sidney Bracy (Green, manager of the skating course), Leland Benham (Tom), Fan Bourke (Jane, a villager)

Note: The character of this film was variously described as a drama or comedy in various schedules. A Thanhouser advertisement called it a "comedy love story."

ADVERTISEMENT, Reel Life, February 14, 1914:

"The Skating Master, portrayed by Billy Noel, who swam in icy water last winter in Her Nephews from Labrador, and who falls in love with 'Miss Beautiful,' the mystery of the movies. It's a delightful comedy love story. It would have been more delightful for Billy hadn't it been for Little Leland Benham! Why? Oh, see the picture."

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, February 14, 1914:

"Harold Moore was distinctly overbearing. Ever since he had won the free-for-all race on the ice he had assumed that because he could skate better than anybody else in the village, he was a fellow to be looked up to by young and old - and especially by the girls. He did cut a rather good figure on the ice - and he succeeded in establishing a reputation for himself as a skating master, and in winning away from Roger Woodward the affections of Miss Helen Knight, the village beauty. There was a lively little boy in town who didn't like the turn affairs had taken. Everybody knew Tom, and that he was always up to mischief. He went to Roger Woodward and told him to challenge his rival to a race on the ice, giving Woodward his solemn promise that, far from coming out the victor, Moore should make himself ridiculous. And it all happened exactly as Tom had predicted. In the middle of the pond, the skating master flopped over in most unsportsmanlike fashion, while Roger calmly sped past to the goal. From that moment, Helen dropped Harold Moore, and Roger was again the favored one. Tom was too gleeful at the outcome to keep his secret. He confided to Roger that there were two reasons why the skating master had come to such an ignominious end. One was that he was wicked - and wicked people are always punished. 'And what was the other reason?' asked Roger. 'W-e-l-l - I sneaked into his house and dulled his skates.'"

REVIEW, The Morning Telegraph, February 22, 1914:

"A remarkably realistic portrayal of the funny side of life in a small village is contained in this film, and without any of the slapstick burlesque which is often used by directors who strive in vain for the same result. In the cast are Jim Dunne, Bill Noel, Sidney Bracy, Leland Benham, Fan Bourke and 'Miss Beautiful.' The story concerns the arrogance of one who thought himself to be the finest youth of the village because he happened to be the best skater. It shows that pride goes before a fall in a very literal sense."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, February 28, 1914:

"This is a rather chilly subject to look at on a cold day, as most of the scenes take place on an ice rink. There is a race scene that is somewhat tame. A young boy figures through it, who furnishes the small amount of comedy that permeates through the plot. Some fancy skating lends to the offering, which helps to get it past. The acting and photography also help to redeem it."

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