The F. Ray Comstock Photoplay Co. was incorporated in New York by H. White, F. Ray Comstock and Meyer Klein as a "general motion picture business" and operator of "vaudeville and theatrical entertainments," according to the 26 June 1915 Motion Picture News. It made Evidence (see entry) in 1915 and two films, The City (see entry) and The Lottery Man in 1916.
Although The Lottery Man was reviewed in the 19 February 1916 Moving Picture World, no information has been located concerning a release at that time. Although Comstock's two earlier films had been distributed by World Film, this one was listed as a State Rights film. The 12 August 1916 Moving Picture World announced that the newly formed Unity Sales Corp. in Minneapolis, MN, had acquired The Lottery and scheduled a 26 June 1916 release; however, according to the 2 September 1916 issues of Motography and Motion Picture News, the release was pushed back to mid-September. Ultimately, Unity didn't get it out until 11 December 1916.
A later film based on the play was released by Famous Players-Lasky Corp. in 1919. That film was directed by James Cruze and starred Wallace Reid and Harrison Ford (see entry).
According to the Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Database, this film is extant. ...
The F. Ray Comstock Photoplay Co. was incorporated in New York by H. White, F. Ray Comstock and Meyer Klein as a "general motion picture business" and operator of "vaudeville and theatrical entertainments," according to the 26 June 1915 Motion Picture News. It made Evidence (see entry) in 1915 and two films, The City (see entry) and The Lottery Man in 1916.
Although The Lottery Man was reviewed in the 19 February 1916 Moving Picture World, no information has been located concerning a release at that time. Although Comstock's two earlier films had been distributed by World Film, this one was listed as a State Rights film. The 12 August 1916 Moving Picture World announced that the newly formed Unity Sales Corp. in Minneapolis, MN, had acquired The Lottery and scheduled a 26 June 1916 release; however, according to the 2 September 1916 issues of Motography and Motion Picture News, the release was pushed back to mid-September. Ultimately, Unity didn't get it out until 11 December 1916.
A later film based on the play was released by Famous Players-Lasky Corp. in 1919. That film was directed by James Cruze and starred Wallace Reid and Harrison Ford (see entry).
According to the Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Database, this film is extant.
After graduation, Jack Wright, a football star, learns that his mother, who sacrificed to put him through college, has lost the family property. Foxey Peyton, Jack's wealthy college chum, gets Jack a job as a newspaper reporter, but his meager salary leads Jack to devise a scheme to make a lot of money quickly. He has the paper announce a lottery, costing one dollar per coupon, for a woman to win him as a husband, or, if she refuses to marry, to split the $100,000 grand prize with him. When Jack falls in love with Peyton's cousin Helen, he, she and Peyton try to buy up all the newspapers, but the demand for them among marriageable women, including long-standing spinsters, stout cooks, and black servants, exceeds their efforts. At the drawing, which attracts an excited crowd, Jack is not to be found. Disappointed and angry, they locate him at Peyton's home, where a struggle ends when Peyton's cook displays the winning ticket. After a moment's hesitation, she decides to marry the butler, and split the prize with Jack, who now can marry ...
After graduation, Jack Wright, a football star, learns that his mother, who sacrificed to put him through college, has lost the family property. Foxey Peyton, Jack's wealthy college chum, gets Jack a job as a newspaper reporter, but his meager salary leads Jack to devise a scheme to make a lot of money quickly. He has the paper announce a lottery, costing one dollar per coupon, for a woman to win him as a husband, or, if she refuses to marry, to split the $100,000 grand prize with him. When Jack falls in love with Peyton's cousin Helen, he, she and Peyton try to buy up all the newspapers, but the demand for them among marriageable women, including long-standing spinsters, stout cooks, and black servants, exceeds their efforts. At the drawing, which attracts an excited crowd, Jack is not to be found. Disappointed and angry, they locate him at Peyton's home, where a struggle ends when Peyton's cook displays the winning ticket. After a moment's hesitation, she decides to marry the butler, and split the prize with Jack, who now can marry Helen.
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