''String Beans'' is a 1918 American silent

comedy film The comedy film is a film genre that emphasizes humor. These films are designed to amuse audiences and make them laugh. Films in this genre typically have a happy ending, with dark comedy being an exception to this rule. Comedy is one of the o ...

directed by

Victor Schertzinger Victor L. Schertzinger (April 8, 1888 – October 26, 1941) was an American composer, film director, film producer, and screenwriter. His films include ''Paramount on Parade'' (co-director, 1930 in film, 1930), ''Something to Sing About (1937 fi ...

, written by

Julien Josephson Julien Josephson (October 24, 1881 – April 14, 1959) was an American motion picture screenwriter. His career spanned between 1914 and 1943. He was a native of Roseburg, Oregon. Career Josephson was well known for his early silent mov ...

, and starring Charles Ray,

Jane Novak Jane Novak (born Johana Barbara Novak; January 12, 1896 – February 3, 1990) was an United States of America, American actress of the silent film era. Background Jane Novak was born Johana Barbara Novak in St. Louis, Missouri to Bohemian immigr ...

J. P. Lockney John P. Loughlin, known professionally as John P. Lockney, was an American actor of the silent film era. He appeared in more than 100 films between 1915 and 1937. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.. Partial filmography * '' The Bride of ...

, Donald MacDonald, Al W. Filson, and

Otto Hoffman Otto F. Hoffman (May 2, 1879 – June 23, 1944) was an American film actor. He appeared in almost 200 films between 1915 and 1944. He was born in New York City and died in Los Angeles, California, from lung cancer. Hoffman's Broadway credi ...

. It was released on December 29, 1918, by

Paramount Pictures Paramount Pictures Corporation, commonly known as Paramount Pictures or simply Paramount, is an American film production company, production and Distribution (marketing), distribution company and the flagship namesake subsidiary of Paramount ...

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 ...

, Toby Watkins (Ray) is a farmhand who writes poetry for the local paper, the Sabert ''Weekly Clarion'', much to his uncle's disgust. Following a quarrel in which he beats his uncle, he is ordered away from home. He gets a position at the paper as a bill collector and is soon elevated to the foreman of the composing room. Kendall Reeves (MacDonald), a crook, comes to town and plans to mulct the populace by starting a canning factory. A tramp printer recognizes Reeves as a former jailbird and makes him agree to split with him. Toby overhears the plot and when Bartrum (Lockney), the editor, becomes too ill to speak in opposition to the scheme, Toby agrees to take his place. On the platform, however, Toby loses his nerve and beats an ignominious retreat in the middle of his address. Reeves later attempts to force the mayor, Lot Morris (Filson), to give him $5000 on account at the point of a revolver. The daughter Jean (Novak) calls up Toby who then arrives in time to save the mayor and capture the crook. He also wins the hand of the mayor's daughter.

Cast

* Charles Ray as Toby Watkins *

as Jean Morris *

as Zachary Bartrum (credited as John P. Lockney) * Donald MacDonald as Kendall Reeves *Al W. Filson as Lot Morris (credited as Al Filson) *

as Joe Farley * Dorothy Devore as Minor Role (uncredited)

References

External links

* 1918 films 1910s English-language films Silent American comedy films 1918 comedy films Paramount Pictures films Films directed by Victor Schertzinger American black-and-white films American silent feature films 1910s American films {{1910s-comedy-film-stub