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Billy McGrath on Broadway
(1913) United States of America
B&W : One reel
Directed by Arthur McMackin
Cast: John Steppling [Billy McGrath], Augustus Carney [the janitor], Eleanor Blanchard [the scrub woman], Charles Hitchcock [the butler], Frank Dayton [an audience member], Helen Dunbar [an audience member], Eva Prout [an audience member], William Walters [an audience member], Bryant Washburn [an audience member]
Essanay Film Manufacturing Company production; distributed by The General Film Company, Incorporated. / Released 4 March 1913. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / The production was shot at the Essanay studios in Chicago, Illinois. A print of the film was recovered by Tom Jarvis of Grand Junction, Colorado, in 2005.
Comedy.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? The lure of the footlights attracts Billy McGrath. He decides to purchase a drama, produce it and play it on Broadway. He engages a company of capable performers, but through the misunderstanding of two of the actresses the company go on a strike, and refuse to work. His booking agent emphatically tells him he will not furnish him with any more talent. The stage hands of the theater McGrath has purchased come to his assistance, by declaring that they will take the parts. After several unfortunate rehearsals the play is produced. The scrub woman as the leading lady creates a furor, while the janitor of the building in the costume of a dashing young blonde ingénue creates the laugh entertainment of the performance. The audience at the opening night proclaims the show a huge success, while the critics in the morning papers declare the show to be a riot. Billy McGrath, with his fortune assured, smiles at the defeat of his striking performers and his reluctant booking agent.
Survival status: Print exists in the film holdings of the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum [35mm nitrate positive (acquired November 2006)].
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 26 June 2023.
References: Website-IMDb : with additional information provided by Rena Dein.
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