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Photograph: Silent Era image collection.
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A Duke for a Day
(1915) United States of America
B&W : One reel
Directed by Allen Curtis
Cast: Max Asher [Shultz, duke for a day], Gale Henry [the widow], Clarence Burton [the duke], William Franey (Billy Franey) [the duke’s ‘flunkey’], Lillian Peacock [Lillian], Bob Vernon [Tom], Milburn Moranti [the hotel manager]
The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated, production; distributed by The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated [Joker Comedies]. / Scenario by Clarence G. Badger (Clarence Badger). / © 5 June 1915 by The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated [LP11431]. Released 14 June 1915. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / Universal released number 0578. The film was marketed in the USA with one-sheet posters. The film was released in Canada on 21 June 1915.
Comedy.
Synopsis: [The Universal Weekly, Volume VI, Number 24, 12 June 1915, page 19] Shultz is a guest at a very katicher seaside hotel. His eyes are attracted by a charming widow who is also a guest. She reciprocates and welcomes his advances. Lillian and Tom are staying at the same hotel. They are engaged. This rollicking young couple makes great sport of Shultz and the widow. These happy conditions are suddenly and rudely upset by the arrival of a royal Duke. He has come to America in search of a wife. His Highness is accompanied by his faithful flunkey. Things are upset because Lillian and the widow immediately lose their hearts to the handsome Duke, and the Duke loses his heart to them. / Shultz and Tom are mighty mad. They try to again gain favor with the ladies, but their efforts are useless. At last Sultz and Tom take things into their own hands. Lillian receives a note informing her that the flunkey is the real Duke, incognito. Thinking she is putting one over on the widow, Lillian switches her attentions to the flunkey. Tom and Shultz then capture the Duke and flunkey. Schultz disguises himself in the Duke’s clothes and Tom follows his example, donning the flunkey’s regalia. They then shave off the royal beards, which they then glue on their own faces. Their disguises are complete. / The unfortunate Duke and his flunkey are then crammed into a trunk. The trunk is shipped over a rough route to the wharf, where it is ordered sent back to England. / Meanwhile Shultz and Tom, impersonating royalty undetected, carry things on with a high hand. / Shultz, as the Duke, proposes to the widow and is accepted. Tom, as the flunkey, whom Lillian believes is the real Duke, incognito, is also accepted by Lillian. The trunk containing the two miserable men flops into the water from the wharf. Its occupants have a fearful time geting to shore. They arrive back at the hotel just in time to witness the wedding of Shultz and Tom. / The imposters are then unmasked. The brides are horrified until they see the dreadful sights presented by the Duke and his flunkey. They are then mighty glad they married real men after all. The Universal, it will be noted, presents this comedy with an all-star cast, consisting of those inimitable comedians, Max Asher, Gale Henry, Wm. Franey and Bob Vernon.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 25 March 2012.
References: UnivWeekly-19150612 pp. 12, 19, 34 : Website-IMDb.
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