Pennington's Choice (1915)
Drama | 8 November 1915
Director:
William BowmanWriter:
John C. CulleyProducer:
O. A. C. LundProduction Company:
Quality Pictures Corp.The 28 Aug 1915 Motion Picture News reported that lead actor Francis X. Bushman and his production company were filming on location at “forest reserves” near San Bernardino, CA. E. H. Calvert, with whom Bushman had previously worked at Essanay Studios, was expected to direct the picture, which was based on a recent short story by Anita Loos for The Cavalier magazine. The cast included Dick Larino and William Farris, listed in the article as “Rollin Ferris.” Also appearing was prizefighter James Jackson “J. J.” Jeffries in his feature film debut. According to the 30 Oct 1915 Picture-Play Weekly, Bushman was “one of the very few men” to ever knock Jeffries unconscious. The article went on to describe the reportedly authentic boxing sequences in which Bushman defeated the former champion. An item in the Apr 1916 Motion Picture claimed that J. J. Jeffries did not appear in the film, but rather his brother Jack Jeffries. Multiple sources disagree with this statement.
On 18 Sep 1915, Motion Picture News reported that production had resumed at Quality Pictures Corp. studios in Hollywood, CA. One week later, the 25 Sep 1915 issue stated that the company was filming exterior scenes that week in the California communities of Mt. Shasta and Sisson. Director William Bowman, who had replaced Calvert, was listed as “W. J. Bauman.” The 21 Oct 1916 Motion Picture News referred to William Farris as William Ferris. Additional location shooting took place in Bear Valley, CA, as noted in the 9 Oct 1915 Moving Picture World. ...
The 28 Aug 1915 Motion Picture News reported that lead actor Francis X. Bushman and his production company were filming on location at “forest reserves” near San Bernardino, CA. E. H. Calvert, with whom Bushman had previously worked at Essanay Studios, was expected to direct the picture, which was based on a recent short story by Anita Loos for The Cavalier magazine. The cast included Dick Larino and William Farris, listed in the article as “Rollin Ferris.” Also appearing was prizefighter James Jackson “J. J.” Jeffries in his feature film debut. According to the 30 Oct 1915 Picture-Play Weekly, Bushman was “one of the very few men” to ever knock Jeffries unconscious. The article went on to describe the reportedly authentic boxing sequences in which Bushman defeated the former champion. An item in the Apr 1916 Motion Picture claimed that J. J. Jeffries did not appear in the film, but rather his brother Jack Jeffries. Multiple sources disagree with this statement.
On 18 Sep 1915, Motion Picture News reported that production had resumed at Quality Pictures Corp. studios in Hollywood, CA. One week later, the 25 Sep 1915 issue stated that the company was filming exterior scenes that week in the California communities of Mt. Shasta and Sisson. Director William Bowman, who had replaced Calvert, was listed as “W. J. Bauman.” The 21 Oct 1916 Motion Picture News referred to William Farris as William Ferris. Additional location shooting took place in Bear Valley, CA, as noted in the 9 Oct 1915 Moving Picture World. The 16 Oct 1915 edition announced the completion of principal photography. Bushman told the 23 Oct 1915 Moving Picture World that Pennington’s Choice would be his last West Coast production, expressing his preference for studios and resources in the New York City area.
The film made its New York City debut at the Wurlitzer Theatre on 28 Oct 1915, followed by a general release on 8 Nov 1915. Reviews were generally positive.
The scenario was adapted by Alexander Lowell as a short story for the Dec 1915 Motion Picture.
Robert Pennington, a native of New York City, falls in love with Eugenia Blondeau, who is visiting from Canada. Unable to accept his marriage proposal without the consent of her father, Eugenia suggests that Robert travel to the Canadian wilderness to meet him. When the battered and beaten Robert arrives, he makes a poor impression on Eugenia’s father, Jules. Her brothers, Louis and Roland, pretend to be the town bullies and do their best to torture Robert, while Eugenia introduces herself as Marie, the wilder but equally charming twin sister. Withstanding the temptations of Marie but unable to endure the punishment of the brothers, Robert disappears into the woods to learn boxing from J. J. Jeffries, a champion pugilist who is vacationing in the area. Robert encounters Jean and Pierre, who are scheming to take over the Blondeaus’ property. With his newly acquired fighting skills, Robert defeats the conspirators, saves the farm, and wins ...
Robert Pennington, a native of New York City, falls in love with Eugenia Blondeau, who is visiting from Canada. Unable to accept his marriage proposal without the consent of her father, Eugenia suggests that Robert travel to the Canadian wilderness to meet him. When the battered and beaten Robert arrives, he makes a poor impression on Eugenia’s father, Jules. Her brothers, Louis and Roland, pretend to be the town bullies and do their best to torture Robert, while Eugenia introduces herself as Marie, the wilder but equally charming twin sister. Withstanding the temptations of Marie but unable to endure the punishment of the brothers, Robert disappears into the woods to learn boxing from J. J. Jeffries, a champion pugilist who is vacationing in the area. Robert encounters Jean and Pierre, who are scheming to take over the Blondeaus’ property. With his newly acquired fighting skills, Robert defeats the conspirators, saves the farm, and wins Eugenia.
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