The Dictator (lost John Barrymore comedy film; 1915)

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The Dictator poster.jpg

Poster for the film.

Status: Lost

The Dictator is an American silent comedy film, released on June 21st, 1915, by Paramount. It was directed by Oscar Eagle, and possibly Edwin S. Porter, the director of The Great Train Robbery. The film starred John Barrymore, in one of his early film roles. Some filming took place in Cuba.[1] The film was later remade in 1922, starring Wallace Reid, which is also now lost.

Plot

Brooke Travers (John Barrymore), a wealthy playboy, is preparing to go on a cruise. While on the way with his valet, he gets into a fight with the cab driver, who charges him a high fee. The cab driver throws punches at Travers, who strikes him back, causing the cab driver to fall and hit his head on the curb. Travers and his valet flee using the cab, and the two board a ship set for Central America. While on the ship, he meets Lucy Sheridan (Charlotte Ives) who he begins to fall for, though she is on her way to marry a missionary.

After landing in Porto Banos, the American consul Colonel Bowie (Robert Broderick), who is set to become the Dictator, talks to Travers and lets him take his credentials to pose as the Dictator. He pretends to be afraid of yellow fever, but in reality is afraid of a revolution starting up, and for his life. Travers accepts, worried about the law coming for him, and begins to pose as the Dictator. After several incidences involving him, Lucy, the missionary, Colonel Bowie's wife, and a following detective, Brooke is set for execution, though is saved last minute by an arriving U.S. Battleship. [2] [3] [4]

Availability

The film, which consisted of five reels, is now lost. It is unknown when it became lost, or if there are any surviving copies of the film. The film was re-released in 1919 by Paramount, as part of their "Success Series". The film appears to have last been shown in late December of 1921. [5]

Today, only a few stills and a lobby poster of the film have survived.

Gallery

Images

External Link

References

  1. Silentera.com listing on the film. Retrieved 17 Aug '21
  2. Synopsis from IMDb.com Retrieved 17 Aug '21
  3. Synopsis from TCM.com Retrieved 17 Aug '21
  4. Synopsis from allmovie.com Retrieved 17 Aug '21
  5. Newspaper clipping from Tampa Retrieved 17 Aug '21