''A Gentleman of Leisure'' is a surviving 1915 American silent

comedy film A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending (black comedy being an exception). Comedy is one of the ol ...

produced by

Jesse Lasky Jesse Louis Lasky (September 13, 1880 – January 13, 1958) was an American pioneer Film producer, motion picture producer who was a key founder of what was to become Paramount Pictures, and father of screenwriter Jesse L. Lasky Jr. Early life ...

and distributed by

Paramount Pictures Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film and television production company, production and Distribution (marketing), distribution company and the main namesake division of Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS). It is the fifth-oldes ...

. It stars stage veteran

Wallace Eddinger Wallace Eddinger (July 14, 1881/1883 – January 8, 1929) was an American stage actor. He started as a child actor, known as Wally Eddinger. As a child he played Cedric in ''Little Lord Fauntleroy'' which starred female child sensation Elsie Les ...

. The film is based on the 1910 novel '' A Gentleman of Leisure'' by

P. G. Wodehouse Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse, ( ; 15 October 188114 February 1975) was an English author and one of the most widely read humorists of the 20th century. His creations include the feather-brained Bertie Wooster and his sagacious valet, Jeeve ...

and 1911 Broadway play adapted by Wodehouse and John Stapleton.

Douglas Fairbanks Douglas Elton Fairbanks Sr. (born Douglas Elton Thomas Ullman; May 23, 1883 – December 12, 1939) was an American actor, screenwriter, director, and producer. He was best known for his swashbuckling roles in silent films including '' The Thie ...

was a cast member in the play several years before beginning a film career. This film survives in the

Library of Congress The Library of Congress (LOC) is the research library that officially serves the United States Congress and is the ''de facto'' national library of the United States. It is the oldest federal cultural institution in the country. The library is ...

Plot

A Gentleman of Leisure 1915 scene A - newspaper

Robert Edgar Willoughby Pitt embarks on a steamship leaving London for New York. However, First Class is full and Robert is forced to travel with the emigrants on the lower deck, from where, by regulation, he cannot access the upper one. The beautiful Molly Creedon is traveling in First Class and Robert, in order to woo the girl, encounters many difficulties precisely because of the restrictions with which he has to comply. A Gentleman of Leisure 1915 scene B - newspaper

A Gentleman of Leisure 1915 scene B - newspaper

Arriving in New York, Robert heads to his exclusive club, where he bets that he could rob a house and avoid being arrested. Later, when Spike Mullins tries to rob him, Robert prevents him, but offers to team up on the caper. Spike suggests robbing the home of a deputy police commissioner known for taking bribes. The man, "Big Phil" Creedon, is Molly's father. Molly catches the thieves and "Big Phil" accepts a bribe to let them go, but warns Robert to keep away from Molly. Spike, who has become Robert's servant, steals a pearl necklace during a house party. To save him from arrest, Robert threatens to report Creedon's embezzlement. Molly discreetly returns the pearls, while Creedon accepts the deal, promising not to take any more bribes.

Cast

as Robert Edgar Willoughby Pitt *

Sydney Deane Sydney Leslie Deane (1 March 1863 – 20 March 1934) was a first-class cricketer and entertainer, and the first Australian to appear in a Hollywood movie. Biography In Australia Born in Balmain, Sydney, to Edward and Sophia, Deane was a prom ...

as Sir Thomas Pitt * Gertrude Kellar as Lady Julia Blunt * Tom Forman as Sir Spencer Dreever *

Carol Holloway Carol Holloway (April 30, 1892 – January 3, 1979) was an American actress of the silent film era. She appeared in more than 110 films between 1914 and 1941. She was born in Williamstown, Massachusetts and died in California. Partial fi ...

as Molly Creedon *

Fred Montague Fred Montague (1864 – 3 July 1919) was an English film actor of the silent era. He appeared in more than 50 films between 1912 and 1919. He was born in London and died in Los Angeles, California California is a U.S. state, state ...

as 'Big Phil' Creedon (as Frederick Montague) *

William Elmer William Elmer (April 25, 1869 – February 24, 1945) was an American actor of the silent era. He appeared in more than 80 films between 1913 and 1942. He was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa and died in Hollywood, California. Elmer acted in ...

as Spike Mullins (as Billy Elmer) *

Frederick Vroom Frederick Vroom (11 November 1857 – 24 June 1942) was a Canadian actor of the silent film era. Vroom appeared in more than 70 films between 1912 and 1939, mostly in supporting roles and bit parts. He played featured roles in Buster Keaton' ...

as Macklin, Pitt's Friend * Francis Tyler as Willett, Pitt's Friend *

Monroe Salisbury Monroe Salisbury (May 8, 1876 – August 7, 1935) was an American actor. He appeared on the stage for several years and then became an early film star. Salisbury was a matinee idol. He began his acting career on the stage in 1898, appearin ...

as Stutten, Pitt's Friend * Mr. Machin as Fuller, Pitt's Friend *

Florence Dagmar Florence Dagmar Oberg (October 22, 1895 – May 7, 1986) was an American silent film actress. She had several leading roles and worked for the Famous Players-Lasky film company, appearing at least twice with Thomas Meighan and Victor Moore whil ...

as Kate * Lawrence Peyton as Ole Larsen (as Larry Peyton) * Robert Dunbar as Jeweler *

Lucien Littlefield Lucien Littlefield (August 16, 1895 – June 4, 1960) was an American actor who achieved a long career from silent films to the television era. He was noted for his versatility, playing a wide range of roles and already portraying old men befor ...

as Clerk

Production

The film was produced by the

Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company Jesse Louis Lasky (September 13, 1880 – January 13, 1958) was an American pioneer motion picture producer who was a key founder of what was to become Paramount Pictures, and father of screenwriter Jesse L. Lasky Jr. Early life Born in to ...

. Originally, Henry Woodruff was set to star in the film, but fell ill shortly after production began. He was replaced by Eddinger.AFI Catalog - ''A Gentleman of Leisure''
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References

External links

* *
Famous Players Herald layout
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gentleman Of Leisure, A 1915 films American silent feature films American films based on plays Films based on works by P. G. Wodehouse Films directed by George Melford Paramount Pictures films 1915 comedy films American black-and-white films Silent American comedy films 1910s American films

Plot

Cast

Production

See also

References

External links