''The Barnstormer'' is a 1922 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 ...

directed by Charles Ray and written by Richard Andres and Edward Withers. The film stars Charles Ray,

Wilfred Lucas Wilfred Van Norman Lucas (January 30, 1871 – December 13, 1940) was a Canadian American stage actor who found success in film as an actor, director, and screenwriter. Early life Lucas was born in Norfolk County, Ontario on January 30, 1871,US ...

Florence Oberle Florence Oberle (December 6, 1869 – July 10, 1943) was a stage and film actress from Tarrytown, New York. Career Born in 1869, Oberle appeared in Morosco Theatre and David Belasco productions. She was once billed as "the most beautiful woman ...

Lionel Belmore Lionel Belmore (12 May 1867 – 30 January 1953) was an English character actor and director on stage for more than a quarter of a century. Life and career Onstage, Belmore appeared with Wilson Barrett, Sir Henry Irving, William Faversham, Lil ...

, Phil Dunham,

Gus Leonard Gus "Pop" Leonard (February 4, 1859 – March 27, 1939) was an American film actor. Biography The French-born actor began his long career on the stage in San Francisco, California, while he was still a child in the 1860s. In later years, h ...

Lincoln Plumer Lincoln Plumer (28 September 1875, in Maryland – 14 February 1928, in Hollywood, California) was an American silent film actor. He married actress Rose Plumer. Lincoln Plumer died of heart disease in 1928. Partial filmography * ''The Floor ...

, Charlotte Pierce, George Nichols, and Blanche Rose. The film was released in January 1922 by Associated First National.

Plot

As described in a

film magazine Film periodicals combine discussion of individual films, genres and directors with in-depth considerations of the medium and the conditions of its production and reception. Their articles contrast with film reviewing in newspapers and magazines whi ...

, Joel Matthews (Ray), a farmer's son, aspires to become an actor. A visiting acting troupe gives him his opportunity, and he becomes a porter, call boy, piano player, stage hand, and finally an actor with two lines. His model in all things is the Leading Man (Lucas), whose every move he imitates. In a small town he meets and falls in love with the Emily (Pierce), daughter of the druggist (Plumer). The play is in town for a week. While playing to a full house, the Leading Man, disguised as a burglar, holds up the audience and hides in his dressing room. Joel discovers him and the loot, and, when he forces the Leading Man to return the money, he wins both the plaudits of the townspeople and the hand of Emily.

Cast

* Charles Ray as Joel *

as Leading Man *

as Leading Lady *

as Manager *

Phil Dunham Phil Dunham (1885 - 1972) was an American actor and screenwriter. Biography Born in London, England, Dunham had a career that spanned silent films and "talkies". His screenplays include several films with African American casts. He had leading ...

as Stage Carpenter *

as Theater Owner *

as Druggist * Charlotte Pierce as Emily * George Nichols as Joel's father *Blanche Rose as Joel's mother *Bert Offord as the Nut

Preservation

The film is now considered

lost Lost may refer to getting lost, or to: Geography *Lost, Aberdeenshire, a hamlet in Scotland * Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, or LOST, a hiking and cycling trail in Florida, US History *Abbreviation of lost work, any work which is known to have bee ...

.American Silent Feature Film Survival Database: ''The Barnstormer''
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Gallery

Barnstormer lobby card.jpg, Lobby card (2/3) Barnstormer lobby card 3.jpg, Lobby card (3/3)

References

External links

* * * 1922 comedy films 1922 films Silent American comedy films American silent feature films American black-and-white films First National Pictures films Lost American films 1922 lost films Lost comedy films Films directed by Charles Ray 1920s American films {{silent-comedy-film-stub