The Four-Flusher (1919)
Comedy | 18 August 1919
Director:
Harry L. FranklinWriters:
A. S. Le Vino, Izola Forrester, Mann PageProduction Company:
Metro Pictures Corp.Actor Hale Hamilton’s transfer to the West Coast was announced by the 14 November 1918 Wid’s Daily. He had recently completed Five Thousand an Hour (1918, see entry) in the New York City area and was scheduled to begin work on his next picture, The Four-Flusher, at the Metro Pictures Corp. studio in Hollywood, CA. The 23 August 1919 Moving Picture World stated that Hamilton’s character was similar to the protagonist of the 1910 stage success, Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford, which was adapted for the screen in 1921 (see entry).
Eight months later, the 12 July 1919 Moving Picture World and the 19 July 1919 Motion Picture News reported the start and completion of principal photography. The latter publication noted that it was Metro’s final feature “to be released under the program system.” An article in the 9 August 1919 Motion Picture News explained that the company was in the process of upgrading its facility and equipment while limiting its releases to “fewer and better pictures.” The studio, referred to as Screen Classics, Inc., had recently added a new stage, described as an “open platform” occupying 13,500 square feet of space, assembled in only nine days by a team of sixty carpenters. The Four-Flusher was the first production to utilize the new structure. A related article in the same issue revealed that co-star Frederic Malatesta was the nephew of Italian premier Francesco Saverio Vincenzo de Paolo Nitti.
According to the 2 August 1919 Motion Picture News, the film was initially scheduled for ...
Actor Hale Hamilton’s transfer to the West Coast was announced by the 14 November 1918 Wid’s Daily. He had recently completed Five Thousand an Hour (1918, see entry) in the New York City area and was scheduled to begin work on his next picture, The Four-Flusher, at the Metro Pictures Corp. studio in Hollywood, CA. The 23 August 1919 Moving Picture World stated that Hamilton’s character was similar to the protagonist of the 1910 stage success, Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford, which was adapted for the screen in 1921 (see entry).
Eight months later, the 12 July 1919 Moving Picture World and the 19 July 1919 Motion Picture News reported the start and completion of principal photography. The latter publication noted that it was Metro’s final feature “to be released under the program system.” An article in the 9 August 1919 Motion Picture News explained that the company was in the process of upgrading its facility and equipment while limiting its releases to “fewer and better pictures.” The studio, referred to as Screen Classics, Inc., had recently added a new stage, described as an “open platform” occupying 13,500 square feet of space, assembled in only nine days by a team of sixty carpenters. The Four-Flusher was the first production to utilize the new structure. A related article in the same issue revealed that co-star Frederic Malatesta was the nephew of Italian premier Francesco Saverio Vincenzo de Paolo Nitti.
According to the 2 August 1919 Motion Picture News, the film was initially scheduled for an 11 August 1919 release, to be followed one week later by another Metro production, A Favor to a Friend (1919, see entry). However, the dates were later swapped, resulting in an 18 August 1919 release for The Four-Flusher. A New York City opening preceded on 17 August 1919 at Loew’s New York Theatre.
The National Film Preservation Board (NFPB) included this film on its list of Lost U.S. Silent Feature Films as of February 2021.
In Los Angeles, California, Lon Withers, the indolent clerk for an exporter, annoys his sweetheart, Suzanne Brooks, with his get-rich-quick schemes. To teach him a lesson, Suzanne convinces South American importer Emanuelo Romez to notify Lon that he is traveling to the U.S. in search of an American representative. Lon attempts to impress Emanuelo by renting an elegant hotel suite and hiring a chauffeured limousine, claiming they are paid for by his fictitious company, F. F., Inc., or Four Flusher, Inc. However, the ruse is actually funded with $2,043.50 borrowed from coworkers. After two weeks of cabarets, boxing matches, and horse races, Lon has exhausted his money. He then turns to the hotel staff for contributions and is arrested for obtaining money under false pretenses. Suzanne and Emanuelo come to Lon’s rescue, after which the wealthy importer offers the ambitious young clerk a generous ...
In Los Angeles, California, Lon Withers, the indolent clerk for an exporter, annoys his sweetheart, Suzanne Brooks, with his get-rich-quick schemes. To teach him a lesson, Suzanne convinces South American importer Emanuelo Romez to notify Lon that he is traveling to the U.S. in search of an American representative. Lon attempts to impress Emanuelo by renting an elegant hotel suite and hiring a chauffeured limousine, claiming they are paid for by his fictitious company, F. F., Inc., or Four Flusher, Inc. However, the ruse is actually funded with $2,043.50 borrowed from coworkers. After two weeks of cabarets, boxing matches, and horse races, Lon has exhausted his money. He then turns to the hotel staff for contributions and is arrested for obtaining money under false pretenses. Suzanne and Emanuelo come to Lon’s rescue, after which the wealthy importer offers the ambitious young clerk a generous salary.
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