A Millionaire for a Day
| The Man of the West | |
|---|---|
 Cumpson (center, seated) in a scene from the film. | |
| Directed by | Frederick A. Thomson |
| Written by | Frederick A. Thomson |
| Produced by | Carl Laemmle Independent Moving Pictures |
| Starring | John R. Cumpson |
| Distributed by | Motion Picture Distributors and Sales Company |
Release date |
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| Country | United States |
| Languages | Silent English intertitles |
A Millionaire for a Day is a 1912 American silent comedy short film starring John R. Cumpson. It was produced by the Independent Moving Pictures (IMP) Company of New York.[1]
The story is based on a real-life incident reported in newspapers across the United States in January 1912.[2] 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.[3][4]
Plot
[edit]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.[5]
Cast
[edit]- 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 as The Clerk in the Clothing Store
- Rogers J.R. as The Gambler
- William Cunningham as The Judge
Preservation status
[edit]According to one source, George Eastman House has three film frames in its collection.[6]
Reception
[edit]The Meridian Daily Journal noted that the film was a "screaming comedy".[7] The Calumet News also covered the film, reviewing it favorably.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "IMP Releases". Motion Picture News. Vol. V, no. 15. April 13, 1912. p. 16.
- ^ a b "The Picture Houses". The Calumet News. May 21, 1912 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "High Life for McDevitt". The Boston Globe. January 13, 1912. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Millionaire For A Day Is Back Home And Broke". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. January 15, 1912. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Manufacturers' Synopses of Films: A Millionaire for a Day". Motion Picture News. Vol. V, no. 15. April 13, 1912. pp. 35–36.
- ^ "Dettagli frammento / Clip details". cinetecadelfriuli.org.
- ^ "Airdome and Crystal". The Meridian Daily Journal. August 16, 1912 – via Newspapers.com.