Jack Straw (1920 film)

Jack Straw
	Newspaper ad for the film.
Directed by	William C. deMille
Produced by	Adolph Zukor; Jesse Lasky
Written by	Olga Printzlau (scenario); Elmer Harris (scenario)
Based on	Jack Straw; by W. Somerset Maugham
Starring	Robert Warwick; Carroll McComas
Cinematography	L. Guy Wilky
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release date	March 14, 1920;
Running time	5 reels; 4,707 feet
Country	United States
Language	Silent (English intertitles)

Jack Straw is a 1920 American silent comedy film produced by Famous Players-Lasky and distributed by Paramount Pictures. William C. deMille directed the film and Robert Warwick and Carroll McComas star. The film is based on a 1908 stage play by W. Somerset Maugham starring John Drew and a young Mary Boland. Winston Churchill made a cameo appearance in the original film. In 1926 Paramount attempted a remake of this film called The Waiter from the Ritz which was begun and/or completed but never released. James Cruze directed and Raymond Griffith starred; this film, if completed, is now lost. The 1920 film survives at the Library of Congress.[1][2][3]

Plot

Based upon a review of the plot in a film publication,[4] Jack Straw (Warwick) is an iceman who becomes a waiter to be closer to the girl (McComas) he is interested in. Later, to impress her, he impersonates an Archduke from Pomerania. A Count from Pomerania (Brower) who is the ambassador arrives and learns of the long-missing son of royalty. The girl's mother (Ashton) learns of the trick being played by Jack. Just when Jack is exposed as being a fraud, it turns out that he is the genuine article. The girl's mother then gladly announces her daughter's engagement to Jack.

Cast

Robert Warwick as Jack Straw
Carroll McComas as Ethel Parker Jennings
Charles Ogle as Mr. Parker Jennings
Irene Sullivan as Mrs. Wanley
Monte du Mont as Ambrose Holland
Frances Parks as Rose
Lucien Littlefield as Sherlo
Robert Brower as Count of Pomerania
Sylvia Ashton as Mrs. Parker Jennings

unbilled

Mayme Kelso (unknown role)

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References

Progressive Silent Film List: Jack Straw at silentera.com
Jack Straw presented as a play on Broadway by Charles Frohman at the Empire Theatre, September 14, 1908 to December 1908; IBDb.com
The Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: Jack Straw
"Jack Straw: Obvious Light Comedy Has Amusing Moments". Motion Picture News. New York City: Motion Picture News, Inc. 21 (16): 3365. April 10, 1920. Retrieved February 21, 2014.

External links

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[1] Progressive Silent Film List: Jack Straw at silentera.com

[2] Jack Straw presented as a play on Broadway by Charles Frohman at the Empire Theatre, September 14, 1908 to December 1908; IBDb.com

[3] The Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: Jack Straw

[4] "Jack Straw: Obvious Light Comedy Has Amusing Moments". Motion Picture News. New York City: Motion Picture News, Inc. 21 (16): 3365. April 10, 1920. Retrieved February 21, 2014.