''First Aid'' is a 1931 American pre-Code crime filmFirst Aid
at

AllMovie AllMovie (previously All Movie Guide) is an online database with information about films, television programs, television series, and screen actors. , AllMovie.com and the AllMovie consumer brand are owned by RhythmOne. History AllMovie was ...

– Movies and Films Database. RhythmOne plc. Retrieved June 11, 2021. directed by

Stuart Paton Stuart Paton (23 July 1883 – 16 December 1944) was a British film director, director, screenwriter and actor of the silent film, silent era. Paton mostly worked with Universal Pictures, Universal, and is accredited with directing 67 films ...

. Produced by Ralph M. Like, the film was released on 5 July 1931 and was distributed by

Sono Art-World Wide Pictures Sono Art-World Wide Pictures was an American film distribution and production company in operation from 1927 to 1933. Their first feature film was '' The Rainbow Man'' (1929), while one of their most prominent was '' The Great Gabbo'' (1929) star ...

. ''First Aid'' was filmed in

Santa Monica Santa Monica (; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Santa Mónica'') is a city in Los Angeles County, California, Los Angeles County, situated along Santa Monica Bay on California's South Coast (California), South Coast. Santa Monica's 2020 United Sta ...

, California. Some scenes were filmed at the Bon Ton Ballroom.

Plot

Ralph Ingram, a brain specialist whose alcoholism has ruined his career, tries to regain his reputation while working with an ambulance team. He is in love with Lil Hollins, who works as a

taxi dancer A taxi dancer is a paid dance partner in a ballroom dance. Taxi dancers work (sometimes for money but not always) on a dance-by-dance basis. When taxi dancing first appeared in taxi-dance halls during the early 20th century in the United State ...

, but Lil's boss, Michael Rush, is also in love with her.

Cast

Grant Withers Granville Gustavus Withers (January 17, 1905 – March 27, 1959), known professionally as Grant Withers, was an American film actor. He began working in motion pictures during the last years of the silent era. Withers moved into sound films, ...

as Ralph Ingram *

Marjorie Beebe Marjorie Eileen Beebe (October 9, 1908 – May 9, 1983) was an American film actress. Early years Beebe was born on October 9, 1909. She graduated from Hollywood High School. Career Beebe tired of working as an assistant in a magician's show, s ...

as Lil Hollins *

Wheeler Oakman Wheeler Oakman (born Vivian Eichelberger; February 21, 1890 – March 19, 1949) was an American film actor. Early years Oakman was born as Vivian Eichelberger in Washington, D.C., and educated in that city's schools—specifically Henry School ...

as Michael Rush * Donald Keith as Buddy Hollins * William Desmond as the Chief of police *

Paul Panzer Paul Wolfgang Panzerbeiter (November 3, 1872 – August 16, 1958), known professionally as Paul Panzer, was a German-American silent film actor. He appeared in more than 330 films between 1905 and 1952. Biography Panzer was born in Würzburg ...

as Whitey * Ernie Adams as Joe *

George Chesebro George Newell Chesebro (July 29, 1888 – May 28, 1959) was an American film actor. He appeared in more than 400 films between 1915 and 1954. He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and died in Los Angeles, California. Partial filmography * ''Mi ...

as Swank * Harry Shutan as Jake *

Billy Gilbert William Gilbert Barron (September 12, 1894 – September 23, 1971), known professionally as Billy Gilbert, was an American actor and comedian. He was known for his comic sneeze routines. He appeared in over 200 feature films, short subjects a ...

as Jenkins

Reception

A positive review from ''

The Film Daily ''The Film Daily'' was a daily publication that existed from 1918 to 1970 in the United States. It was the first daily newspaper published solely for the film industry. It covered the latest trade news, film reviews, financial updates, informati ...

'' on 12 July 1931 stated: "Carries fast action punch with thrills and unique plot situation that makes popular fare. Good story treatment."''

'', issue on July 12, 1931
p. 10.
at the

Internet Archive The Internet Archive is an American 501(c)(3) organization, non-profit organization founded in 1996 by Brewster Kahle that runs a digital library website, archive.org. It provides free access to collections of digitized media including web ...

. p. 92. Retrieved June 11, 2021.

References

External links

* * {{Stuart Paton 1931 films 1931 crime drama films American black-and-white films American crime drama films Films directed by Stuart Paton 1930s English-language films 1930s American films Films shot in California English-language crime drama films