A fake athlete, a ranch divorce, and 50 minutes of 1920s chaos—what could go wrong?
Upon observing the adoration that track star Culver Covington receives, his friend, J. Wallingford Speed, decides to impress Helen Blake by also posing as a sprinter. Meanwhile, when Roberta Keap decides to retire to her Western ranch while awaiting her divorce, Speed, Helen and various friends accompany her while her husband Donald takes up residence at the neighboring Gallagher ranch.
Acting
Cullen Landis commits hard to fake-athlete physical comedy
Production
Ranch location shooting elevates the slapstick stakes
Director
Harry Beaumont
Cullen Landis
J. Wallingford Speed
Helen Ferguson
Jean Chapin
Lillian Hall
Helen Blake
Lillian Langdon
Miz Gallagher
Kenneth Harlan
Donald Keap
Ethel Grey Terry
Mrs. Roberta Keap
Willard Louis
Larry Glass
Walter Hiers
Berkeley Fresno
Frank Braidwood
Culver Covington
Nelson McDowell
Still Bill Stover
Snitz Edwards
Willie
Hayward Mack
Laden
Maurice 'Lefty' Flynn
Skinner
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This captures peak 1920s 'athletics craze' when track stars were genuine celebrities and faking athletic prowess was a recognizable social anxiety.
Director Harry Beaumont would pivot to musicals and direct Joan Crawford in 'Our Dancing Daughters'—this silent comedy was his training ground for Jazz Age energy.
US
