Lupino Lane seems to have been touring in his pantomime, so he used the sets to film it for Educational. It was not a good year to be making silents; it went missing for decades until a 16 mm. print turned up at the Library of Congress. Alas, it was in the early stages of "Vinegar Syndrome" and the image was blurry.
Even so, it is a movie to see. Lane is a harassed clerk at a toy store run by his brother, Wallace Lupino. Set the task of cleaning the store after hours, Lane wishes he lived in the lovely castle display and falls asleep, to dream of that very event... in which he battles with the knights and knaves and tries to steal a kiss from pretty Muriel Evans in a blond wig.
It's an amazing display of Lane acrobatics as he dives in and out of disappearing doors in the set, and tumbles shows off his skills to the delight of the audience.
Lane was one of the great acrobatic clowns of the silent era. He made some comedies in 1916-1918 as 'Nipper' but he was in his late 30s when he made this. Even with the undercranking that seems necessary to me (although how did they do it on the live stage?), it's a joyous performance.
Even so, it is a movie to see. Lane is a harassed clerk at a toy store run by his brother, Wallace Lupino. Set the task of cleaning the store after hours, Lane wishes he lived in the lovely castle display and falls asleep, to dream of that very event... in which he battles with the knights and knaves and tries to steal a kiss from pretty Muriel Evans in a blond wig.
It's an amazing display of Lane acrobatics as he dives in and out of disappearing doors in the set, and tumbles shows off his skills to the delight of the audience.
Lane was one of the great acrobatic clowns of the silent era. He made some comedies in 1916-1918 as 'Nipper' but he was in his late 30s when he made this. Even with the undercranking that seems necessary to me (although how did they do it on the live stage?), it's a joyous performance.
