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The Reason Why
(1911) United States of America
B&W : One reel
Directed by [?] Gaston Méliès and/or Robert Goodman?
Cast: [?] Francis Ford? [Pedro], [?] William Clifford? [Hank]
G. Méliès production; distributed by The General Film Company, Incorporated. / Produced by Gaston Méliès. / Released 30 November 1911. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Comedy: Western.
Synopsis: [From Méliès promotional materials] Pedro and Hank, partners, become desperate rivals for the hand of Marie, a pretty store-keeper, and try to outdo each other in purchases from the store in the indeavor to win her favor. Hank almost steals a march on Pedro when he rushes in to save Marie from the advances of two “drunks,” but unfortunately the “drunks” prove stronger than he. Pedro’s mighty arm saves both Hank and the girl, and for reward he fully expects her consent. Just then however, the real lover, a young Easterner, arrives when Marie receives with open arms, after which Pedro and Hank conclude that such is the way of life. // [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Pedro takes a fresh shave and Hank shines his boots as they were never polished before, because, as may be supposed, there is a woman in the case. The two old partners are rivals for the affections of Marie, a pretty store keeper, and one is ever trying to steal a march on the other. Pedro steals off to the store and buys a pipe, no less than the fortieth one, some excuse being necessary. Hank enters and buys tobacco, although he has enough to last for years. Each day this continues, and each partner believes he has made wonderful progress toward winning the coveted hand. A chance for one to outdo the other is never let go by, and on one occasion Hank thought he saw the chance of a lifetime. Two “drunks” have passed him, taking the direction of the store, and Hank fears for Marie. He follows their course and when they have entered the store, rushes in. But drunken strength is too much for Hank, and before long they have him powerless on the floor and were it not for the arrival of Pedro, who knows what would have happened? The latter throws them off, and, with Hank’s assistance, out of the store. Marie thanks Pedro immensely, and he believes his day has come, but alas! she turns and does the same to Hank. And at that moment, to make the disappointment more complete, a young Easterner arrives, whom Marie receives with open arms; and when he produces the sparkling ring, they know that, as far as they’re concerned, love’s labor has been lost. So home to the old shanty, where each invites the other to use the shoe leather freely. But anyway, pipes and tobacco offer splendid consolation.
Reviews: [The Moving Picture World, 16 December 1911, page ?] A comedy of which the last scene, richly human, is worth watching a good deal of rough horse-play to see. Part of the picture is taken up with the rough ejection of two drunken and obstreperous loafers from the village general store. The chief characters are two bunkies, Jack and Slim, and the pretty storekeeper whom both love. As a pretext for going to the store, one is always buying a new pipe, the other always buying a fresh bag of tobacco, until neither can get a good smoke, for one has no pipe, the other no tobacco. They, however, have a rival who carries off the fair one. Then, very disconsolate, they sit on the steps of their porch and make each other presents, one of tobacco, the other of pipes. It isn’t a very strong picture. It got some laughs.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 25 May 2024.
References: Thompson-Star p. 231 : ClasIm-226 p. 55 : Website-IMDb.
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