Battling Butler (1926)

Comedy | August 1926

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HISTORY

The Apr 1926 AmCin reported that cinematographer Dev Jennings had just returned from four weeks in Kernville, CA, and more than two weeks in Santa Ynez, CA, filming Battling Butler. The small town and camping scenes in the movie were filmed in old Kernville, which now lies under Lake Isabella because of the 1948 Lake Isabella Dam, according to John Bengtson, author of Silent Echos (2000). Keaton's character's mansion was the Talmadge Apartments at 3278 Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles, CA. Boxing scenes took place at the Olympic Auditorium at 1801 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles.
       Battling Butler was screened 3 Jun 2018 at the 23rd Annual San Francisco Silent Film Festival in San Francisco, CA. ...

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The Apr 1926 AmCin reported that cinematographer Dev Jennings had just returned from four weeks in Kernville, CA, and more than two weeks in Santa Ynez, CA, filming Battling Butler. The small town and camping scenes in the movie were filmed in old Kernville, which now lies under Lake Isabella because of the 1948 Lake Isabella Dam, according to John Bengtson, author of Silent Echos (2000). Keaton's character's mansion was the Talmadge Apartments at 3278 Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles, CA. Boxing scenes took place at the Olympic Auditorium at 1801 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles.
       Battling Butler was screened 3 Jun 2018 at the 23rd Annual San Francisco Silent Film Festival in San Francisco, CA.

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GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS
SOURCE CITATIONS
SOURCE
DATE
PAGE
American Cinematographer
Apr 1926
p. 12
Chicago Tribune
3 Aug 1926
p. 23
Film Daily
29 Aug 1926
---
Life
16 Sep 1926
p. 43
Moving Picture World
4 Sep 1926
p. 43
New York Times
23 Aug 1926
p. 9
Variety
25 Aug 1926
p. 18
CAST
PRODUCTION CREDITS
NAME
PARENT COMPANY
PRODUCTION COMPANY
PRODUCTION TEXTS
Joseph M. Schenck presents
A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Production
NAME
CREDITED AS
CREDIT
DIRECTOR
PRODUCER
WRITERS
Scr adpt
Scr adpt
Scr adpt
PHOTOGRAPHY
Chief cine
Photog
SOURCES
LITERARY
Based on the musical play Battling Butler by Stanley Brightman and Austin Melford, music by Philip Brabham, lyrics by Douglas Furber (London, 8 Dec 1922).
LITERARY SOURCE AUTHORS
+
DETAILS
Release Date:
August 1926
Premiere Information:
Chicago opening: week of 3 Aug 1926; New York opening: 22 Aug 1926
Production Date:

Copyright Info
Claimant
Date
Copyright Number
Metro-Goldyn-Mayer Corp.
30 August 1926
LP23068
Physical Properties:
Silent
Black and White
Length(in feet):
6,970
Length(in reels):
7
Country:
United States
Language:
English
SYNOPSIS

Indolent and wealthy Alfred Butler, accompanied by Martin, his valet, goes on a camping excursion in his Rolls-Royce with all the accouterments of luxury. He meets Sally and gets up enough ambition to propose marriage, but her husky father and brother persuade him to withdraw his suit. When Martin tells Sally's family that Alfred is actually "Battling Butler," a championship boxer, Alfred is welcomed as a prospective suitor and later is proclaimed a hero for purportedly winning a fight. When the real Butler appears with his spouse, he decides to humiliate the imposter by having him fight one "Alabama Murderer" and has him trained by his managers. Alfred locks up his bride to keep her from seeing his disgrace, but finds that the real "Battling Butler" has already won the fight. Then the boxer begins to fight with Alfred, who finally summons his courage and beats the ...

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Indolent and wealthy Alfred Butler, accompanied by Martin, his valet, goes on a camping excursion in his Rolls-Royce with all the accouterments of luxury. He meets Sally and gets up enough ambition to propose marriage, but her husky father and brother persuade him to withdraw his suit. When Martin tells Sally's family that Alfred is actually "Battling Butler," a championship boxer, Alfred is welcomed as a prospective suitor and later is proclaimed a hero for purportedly winning a fight. When the real Butler appears with his spouse, he decides to humiliate the imposter by having him fight one "Alabama Murderer" and has him trained by his managers. Alfred locks up his bride to keep her from seeing his disgrace, but finds that the real "Battling Butler" has already won the fight. Then the boxer begins to fight with Alfred, who finally summons his courage and beats the champion.

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Legend
Viewed by AFI
Partially Viewed
Offscreen Credit
Name Occurs Before Title
AFI Life Achievement Award

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