Volume II: Filmography

BOOMING THE BOXING BUSINESS

(Falstaff)

February 8, 1916 (Tuesday)

Length: 1 reel

Character: Comedy

Scenario: Lloyd F. Lonergan

Cast: Frank E. McNish (Professor Biff), Claude Cooper (his helper), Billy Swan (champion pugilist), Isolde Illian (his sweetheart), Carey L. Hastings (Mrs. Henpeck), Jim Murray (Mr. Henpeck)

Note: In a mention in Reel Life, the title was listed incorrectly as Booming the Boxing Game.

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, February 5, 1916:

"Biff's Fistic Academy was in trouble. Pupils had fallen off to an alarming extent. Hence it was with delight that he welcomed a suggestion from Jim, his faithful helper. Jim loved the professor and was anxious to see business improve, one reason being that his own wages were much in arrears. Jim's plan was this. He would go out in disguise and insult respectable citizens who apparently had bank rolls. At the proper moment the Professor would stroll on, defend the victim and thrash Jim. He would then give the man one of his cards, and, if lucky, land a pupil. The scheme worked like a charm in some cases. They did strike a snag when Jim tackled a meek-looking man, and his wife, a suffragette, proved conclusively that she did not need any boxing lessons. Disaster came, however, when the helper met a pleasant young man in the park, talking to a pretty girl. Jim flirted with the girl and was driven away by Biff. Then things went along for a while as Biff liked to see them. The young man simply yearned to take a boxing lesson. And at the appointed time he arrived at the academy. Without warning conditions changed. The young man beat and battered Biff until he howled for mercy. Then he accused the helper of 'sneering' at his kind-hearted employer, and polished him off also. After which he wrote a note, left it on a side table, and departed. The two bruised gladiators got the note and read it. Here's what it said: 'You Poor Boobs - I spotted you rehearsing your plot before you tackled me, and I jollied you along. Thanks for the exercise.' It was signed by a well-known member of the fistic fraternity. 'I think,' said Professor Biff, sadly, as he finished reading the note, 'I think that we will cut out high financiering in this game and stick to the tricks we know.' They did."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, February 19, 1916:

"An amusing farce comedy in which a couple of men conspire to attract pupils for their boxing academy. This comedy has been very well handled and will be found very acceptable."

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