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To Be or Not to Be
(1916) United States of America
B&W : Short film
Directed by Edward Watt (Ed C. Watt)
Cast: Orral Humphrey [Ignatius Jenkyns, the tragedian], Gladys Kingsbury [Mrs. Frummerly], Mary Talbot (Mae Talbot) [Bella Frummerly], Johnny Gough (John Gough) [Professor Mugwash], Edward C. Watt (Ed C. Watt)
American Film Company, Incorporated [Beauty] production; distributed by Mutual Film Corporation. / Scenario by Edward Watt (Ed C. Watt). / Released 8 January 1916. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Comedy.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Ignatius Jenkyns is the world’s greatest Shakespearean tragedian. He admits it, yet he plays on the “ten-twent’-thirt’” time. He and his company leave Waitsburg about midnight, much to the consternation of the hotel keeper who is not aware of their departure until the following morning. Arrived at Spudsville, the next town on their circuit. Ignatius at once proceeds with the rehearsal of his role, but members of his company, rebellious at the “all work and no pay” life they are leading, make forceful demands upon the lanky tragedian as to “when the ghost will walk.” Then the Waitsburg hotel keeper and sundry constables arrive, intent on procuring money from Ignatius or taking it out of his hide. In undignified haste, the great tragedian flees. He takes refuge in the home of Mrs. Frummerly, in whose blue veins flows the red blood of the long lamented Sir Archibald Ladykiller. Mrs. Frummerly and her daughter Bella are standing in front of a portrait of their revered ancestor. They have discovered a mysterious parchment which professes that when the ghost of the late Sir Archibald shall appear, fortune shall smile upon his descendants, namely, viz. and to-wit, Madame Frummerly and Bella. When Honorable Ignatius appears, the Frummerlys are wide-eyed, for the long haired Hamfat bears marked resemblance to their feudal ancestor. As Ignatius approaches the portrait, he stumbles over his sword and falls. Frantically he grasps at the painting, which tumbles down upon his head. A cache is revealed in which is a hoard of jewels and money. The Frummerlys. discovering that Ignatius is flesh and blood, and not a ghost, agree to split their good fortune “fifty-fifty” and Ignatius returns again to trod the boards of Spudville. Placating the irate hotel man, the great Hamfat lifts aloft his lance, and in deep stentorian tones he bellows: “A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse.”
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Keywords: Actors - Law: Enforcement: Police: Policemen
Listing updated: 11 September 2023.
References: Ball-Shakespeare pp. 219, 358, 390 : Website-IMDb.
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