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Matchin’ Jim
(1916) United States of America
B&W : Two reels
Directed by Frank Borzage
Cast: Frank Borzage [Matchin’ Jim], Charles Morrison (Chick Morrison) [Murphy], Anna Little (Ann Little) [Phyllis Ellings], Dick La Reno [Old Ellings], Harvey Clark [Hawkins], Queenie Rosson [Marg]
American Film Company, Incorporated, production; distributed by Mutual Film Corporation [Mustang]. / Released 8 September 1916. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama: Western.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Matchin’ Jim comes to the “Flying A” ranch and is employed as one of its cowboys. His name is well justified, as he has a mania for matching coins. Not far from the ranch lives Ellings, an old placer miner. He has a daughter, Phyllis, whose sole delight in life seems to be in caring for a puny rose bush that she has planted at the side of her father’s cabin. By diligent nursing she has managed to bring it to such a stage that it produces a single blossom. As Matchin’ Jim is wandering near the cabin one day, hunting, a wild shot from his gun narrowly misses Phyllis and cuts from the rose bush its one lone flower. She calls to Jim, and when he comes to her she points out the damage that he has done. But Jim only grins and tells her that he’ll match her to see whether she is going to be mad at him or not. This forces Phyllis to relent in a way, and she accepts his proposition. He shows her the art of matching coins and in the gamble that follows she loses and Jim tells her that she can’t be angry with him anymore. By the time another rose has bloomed they are the best of friends. An alluring description of an imitation diamond ring in a mail order catalog attracts Jim so that he sends for the article. There comes to the “Flying A” Hawkins, a gambler, who claims to be in ill health and is seeking to recuperate. He, too, meets Phyllis and Jim learns that he has a rival. Phyllis cares nothing for Hawkins, but actions lead Jim to believe that she has switched her affections. Thinking that his only chance is to get Hawkins out of the way, Jim makes him a proposition. He tells him that he will match him to see which one shall court Phyllis exclusively. Hawkins takes a chance and wins. Phyllis cannot understand Jim’s attitude following this, and to arouse his jealousy she flirts with Hawkins. This more than ever convinces Jim that he has lost out, and the imitation diamond ring arriving, he presents it to Hawkins, with the remark that he guesses that he hasn’t further use for it himself. Then Jim packs up his belongings and leaves. A day of traveling brings him to an old shack, where he stops and asks for a bite to eat. The place is inhabited by a young woman and a newborn baby. She cooks food for him. From her he learns that she has been deserted, and he suspects Hawkins as the miscreant husband. Returning to the “Flying A” he forces Hawkins to accompany him back to the shack. They enter, and Hawkins finds that a child has been born to him. He begs forgiveness of his wife and Jim gets his ring back from the gambler. Appearing at Phyllis’ cabin, Jim knocks at the door. She is away, but her father is present. Jim tells him that he only wants permission to propose to his daughter. In reply the father knocks Him down, and throws him from the house. Jim re-enters the cabin. He tells the father that he’ll match him to see whether he can propose or not. The men remain silent for a time. Hearing someone outside, Jim goes out of the cabin. Ellings gets up and goes to the door. The door opening outside, he appears in the doorway. Jim looks up at him with a grin and says, “I’m only matchin’ her for a kiss.” They match, and Jim wins. Then the old man takes a step down and stands in between them. Both Phyllis and Jim are non-plussed, but when a faint smile appears on the old man’s face, it is evident that he has been won over.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 21 November 2022.
References: ClasIm-204 p. 18 : Website-IMDb.
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