''A Clever Dummy'' is a 1917 American short comedy film directed by

Ferris Hartman Ferris may refer to: __NOTOC__ People and fictional characters * Ferris (name), a list of people and fictional characters with either the given name or surname * Ferris MC, stage name of German rapper Sascha Reimann (born 1973) * Ferris Bueller, st ...

, Robert P. Kerr,

Herman C. Raymaker Herman C. Raymaker (January 22, 1893 – March 6, 1944) was an American film director and actor. He directed 51 films between 1917 and 1934. His last two films as director were '' Trailing the Killer'' (1932) and '' Adventure Girl'' (1934). ...

, and

Mack Sennett Mack Sennett (born Michael Sinnott; January 17, 1880 – November 5, 1960) was a Canadian-American producer, director, actor, and studio head who was known as the "King of Comedy" during his career. Born in Danville, Quebec, he started acting i ...

Plot

Ben Turpin is a janitor who is in love with an inventor's daughter, and is used as a model for the inventor's new mechanical dummy. To be near to her, he hides inside the dummy's case and is shipped off to a vaudeville company. He has to stay in character as the dummy, which he succeeds at. The property master stores him in Juanita Hansen's dressing room, where he steals a wad of bills, and a chase ensues.

Cast

Ben Turpin Bernard "Ben" Turpin (September 19, 1869 – July 1, 1940) was an American comedian and actor, best remembered for his work in silent films. His trademarks were his Esotropia, cross-eyed appearance and adeptness at vigorous physical comedy ...

as A romantic janitor *

Chester Conklin Chester Cooper Conklin (January 11, 1886 – October 11, 1971) was an early American film comedian who started at Keystone Studios as one of Mack Sennett's Keystone Cops, often paired with Mack Swain. He appeared in a series of films with ...

as A playful property man *

Wallace Beery Wallace Fitzgerald Beery (April 1, 1885 – April 15, 1949) was an American film and stage actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Bill in '' Min and Bill'' (1930) opposite Marie Dressler, as General Director Preysing in '' Grand Hotel'' (1 ...

as A vaudeville manager *

Juanita Hansen Juanita Hansen (born Juanita Cecilia Hanson; March 3, 1895 – September 26, 1961) was an American actress who performed in silent films. She became one of the Sennett Bathing Beauties and appeared in a variety of Serial (film), serials throug ...

as A leading lady * Claire Anderson as An object of affection *James Donnelly as Her inventive father *James Delano as His interested partner *Joseph Belmont as Bald Husband in Audience (uncredited) *Robert Milliken as Master of Ceremonies (uncredited) * Marvel Rea (Minor Role) (uncredited) *

Eva Thatcher Eva Thatcher (March 14, 1862 – September 28, 1942) was an American film actress and vaudeville performer. She appeared in more than one hundred films between 1912 and 1930. She was born in Omaha, Nebraska, and died in Los Angeles, Californ ...

as Wife in Audience (uncredited)

References

External links

* * 1917 films 1917 comedy films 1917 short films 1910s American films 1910s English-language films American black-and-white films English-language comedy short films Films directed by Robert P. Kerr Films directed by Herman C. Raymaker Films directed by Mack Sennett Films produced by Mack Sennett Keystone Studios films Silent American comedy short films Surviving American silent films Triangle Film Corporation films {{1910s-short-comedy-film-stub