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Help Wanted
(1911) United States of America
B&W : Split-reel
Directed by Frank Powell
Cast: Joseph Graybill [Jack], Dell Henderson [the uncle], Marion Sunshine [the daughter], W.C. Robinson [the butler], Kate Bruce [one of the maids], William J. Butler [the doctor], Donald Crisp [man in corridor], Lottie Pickford [woman in corridor], Jack Dillon [the driver], Jeanie Macpherson, Violet Mersereau
Biograph Company production; distributed by [?] Biograph Company or The General Film Company, Incorporated? / Cinematography by Arthur Marvin. / Released 12 January 1911; in a split-reel with The Midnight Marauder (1911). / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Comedy.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Jack was in dire distress when he made a desperate appeal to his uncle for money. On account of his reckless habits Jack’s allowance from his uncle is cut off. His pleas for restitution have been received with a deaf ear by his uncle, until he is forced to resort to some extreme measure in order to make uncle loosen up. A great idea strikes him and he at once proceeds to put it into effect by writing the following letter: “Dear Uncle, Since you have cut off my allowance I face starvation. Unless we can make peace before 8:00 I shall commit suicide and the family name will be disgraced.” The uncle receives this letter while he is superintending the decoration of the reception room preparatory to his daughter’s birthday party, and in his excitement he forgets it. Meanwhile, the clock’s hands are moving slowly but surely towards the fatal hour, while Jack is preparing for his fake shuffle. First he considers hanging, but that don’t seem dignified; poison would be better, hence he fills a bottle labeled “Poison” with water from which he drinks copiously. Still uncle doesn’t come. Of course, the reason is clear. It is 8:30 when he remembers the letter, and after reading the contents, he makes a mad dash for his nephew’s rooms, only to discover, with the aid of a doctor, the hoax Jack has perpetrated. So instead of giving him financial help, he hands him the “Help Wanted” page of the morning paper.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 28 April 2023.
References: Spehr-American p. 2 : Website-IMDb.
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