''A Millionaire for a Day'' is a 1912 American silent comedy

short film A short film is any motion picture that is short enough in running time not to be considered a feature film. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as "an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes ...

starring John R. Cumpson. It was produced by the Independent Moving Pictures (IMP) Company of New York. The story is based on a real-life incident reported in newspapers across the United States in January 1912. A John Jay McDevitt of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, sold an accidental nomination for county treasurer for $2500 and traveled to New York City with an entourage (a doctor, a secretary, a valet and about 20 guests) on a special train, making speeches to appreciative audiences at stops along the way and arriving with only $72.40 left. There he fulfilled his ambition of acting the way he believed a millionaire would, spending and tipping lavishly.

Plot

Mechanic Fred Dudley goes to New York City and squanders his entire inheritance in a day. Then, broke but wiser, he returns home to Wilkes-Barre.

Cast

* John R. Cumpson as Fred Dudley * Frank Russell as The Foreman * Frank Hall Crane as The Bank Cashier * Hayward Mack as The Bank Teller * Walter Long (actor), Walter Long as The Clerk in the Clothing Store * Rogers J.R. as The Gambler * William Cunningham as The Judge

Preservation status

According to one source, George Eastman Museum, George Eastman House has three film frames in its collection.

Reception

''Record-Journal, The Meridian Daily Journal'' noted that the film was a "screaming comedy". ''The Calumet News'' also covered the film, reviewing it favorably.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Millionaire for a Day 1912 films 1912 comedy films 1912 short films Silent American comedy films American films based on actual events American silent short films American black-and-white films American comedy short films Films set in New York City Independent Moving Pictures films 1910s American films