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The Pennant Puzzle
(1912) United States of America
B&W : One reel
Directed by Chauncy D. Herbert
Cast: John Lancaster [Casey], Lillian Leighton [Mrs. Casey], Chauncy D. Herbert [the judge], Walter McCollough [the police sergeant], Patrick Carson [a policeman], Julius Frankenburg [the court clerk], Edgar Wynne (Edgar G. Wynn) [the burglar]
The Selig Polyscope Company, Incorporated, production; distributed by The General Film Company, Incorporated. / Produced by William N. Selig. From a screen story by K.D. Langley. / Released 15 July 1912. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Comedy: Sports: Baseball.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Casey is an ardent baseball fan. One day, while on a shopping trip with his domineering wife, he sees a notice offering a thousand dollars reward to anyone who can solve the “Great Pennant Puzzle” in less than thirty-seven moves. He purchases a puzzle and without any loss of time begins working on the solution. The fun begins when we see Casey, oblivious to all else, working away at his puzzle on the crowded street, unconsciously bumping into shoppers and knocking their bundles right and left. Then we see him in his own home, so absorbed in the puzzle that he neglects his meals, forgets to sleep, and pays no attention to a burglar who enters the house in the small hours of the morning and “lifts” valuables from right under his nose. Mrs. Casey now takes a hand in the game and “assists” her puzzle-mad husband out of the house through the window. Casey takes solace on a bench in the park, where, during a brief nap, he sees the puzzle work itself out in a dream. He wakes up and frantically tries to remember the solution, his actions finally arousing the suspicions of a park policeman, who takes him to the police station. Casey is assigned to a cell, where he works away on a makeshift puzzle, while the desk sergeant and the reserves become so absorbed in the confiscated puzzle that they pay no attention to their duties. Next morning Casey is taken before the judge and is given a speedy trial. The judge discharges him, then, having become interested in the puzzle, begins to mix justice and baseball in an amusing way. Meanwhile, Casey gets another puzzle and goes to a ball game. The players, managers and umpire finally get interested in the solution of the puzzle, with the result that the game is postponed, greatly to the disgust of the audience, which is composed largely of delegates of the National Press Association Convention, then being held in the city. Presently, while the players of both ball teams and the umpire are frantically offering suggestions to Casey, he hits upon the solution of the puzzle. He jumps to his feet with a whoop of triumph, and, followed by the mob, rushes off to the court room to show the judge. When the court is reached, they find the judge, the officials and the spectators frantically working away on puzzles. The correct solution of the puzzle is again worked on the screen and all heave a sigh of relief.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Keywords: Athletes: Baseball players - Sports: Baseball
Listing updated: 10 December 2024.
References: Lahue-Selig p. 100 : Website-IMDb.
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