Johnny-on-the-Spot (1919)
Comedy | 17 February 1919
Director:
Harry L. FranklinWriters:
June Mathis, Shannon FifeProduction Company:
Metro Pictures Corp.The start of principal photography at Metro Studios in Hollywood, CA, was reported in the 18 December 1918 Wid’s Daily. As stated in the March 1919 Motion Picture, lead actor Hale Hamilton had recently survived a train wreck in South Dakota while traveling to the studio from New York City.
The 8 March 1919 Moving Picture World noted that Metro Pictures Corp. executives had been in search of a story for a follow-up to Hamilton’s previous release, Five Thousand an Hour (1918, see entry). Writer and critic Shannon Fife submitted his original manuscript, which the studio purchased “within twenty-four hours at a record figure” because it was more suitable than any of the novels or short stories that were under consideration. The close of production was reported in the 1 February 1919 Motion Picture News. An article in the 22 February 1919 issue claimed that Hamilton began his next feature, That’s Good (1919, see entry), within an hour of completing Johnny-on-the-Spot. The latter film was released on 17 February 1919.
According to the Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Database, this film is extant.
...
The start of principal photography at Metro Studios in Hollywood, CA, was reported in the 18 December 1918 Wid’s Daily. As stated in the March 1919 Motion Picture, lead actor Hale Hamilton had recently survived a train wreck in South Dakota while traveling to the studio from New York City.
The 8 March 1919 Moving Picture World noted that Metro Pictures Corp. executives had been in search of a story for a follow-up to Hamilton’s previous release, Five Thousand an Hour (1918, see entry). Writer and critic Shannon Fife submitted his original manuscript, which the studio purchased “within twenty-four hours at a record figure” because it was more suitable than any of the novels or short stories that were under consideration. The close of production was reported in the 1 February 1919 Motion Picture News. An article in the 22 February 1919 issue claimed that Hamilton began his next feature, That’s Good (1919, see entry), within an hour of completing Johnny-on-the-Spot. The latter film was released on 17 February 1919.
According to the Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Database, this film is extant.
Aspiring author Johnny Rutledge lives by the philosophy embodied in his book, Taking it Easy, or Everything Comes to Him Who Waits. He is evicted from Mrs. Webster’s boarding house after giving his last ten dollars to Anne Travers, another would-be author, so that she can pay her rent. Johnny joins a medicine show in an attempt to comply with his wealthy father's demand that he earn $5,000 before he receives any more family money. Anne is exasperated with Johnny's lackadaisical attitude and falls under the influence of a criminal named Cooley, who claims to be Arthur Abington, a successful writer. In reality, Cooley has learned that Anne is heir to a fortune if she is married by a certain time. When Johnny learns of Anne's impending marriage, he hurriedly steals a car, impersonates a minister, and arrives just in time to stop the wedding and expose Cooley. Johnny then marries Anne and receives a $5,000 reward from her trustee. He rushes to his father's attorney, and after being admonished to "take it easy," Johnny replies, "There ain't no such word." ...
Aspiring author Johnny Rutledge lives by the philosophy embodied in his book, Taking it Easy, or Everything Comes to Him Who Waits. He is evicted from Mrs. Webster’s boarding house after giving his last ten dollars to Anne Travers, another would-be author, so that she can pay her rent. Johnny joins a medicine show in an attempt to comply with his wealthy father's demand that he earn $5,000 before he receives any more family money. Anne is exasperated with Johnny's lackadaisical attitude and falls under the influence of a criminal named Cooley, who claims to be Arthur Abington, a successful writer. In reality, Cooley has learned that Anne is heir to a fortune if she is married by a certain time. When Johnny learns of Anne's impending marriage, he hurriedly steals a car, impersonates a minister, and arrives just in time to stop the wedding and expose Cooley. Johnny then marries Anne and receives a $5,000 reward from her trustee. He rushes to his father's attorney, and after being admonished to "take it easy," Johnny replies, "There ain't no such word."
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