His Majesty, Bunker Bean is a 1918 American silent comedy film directed by William Desmond Taylor. The film's screenplay was written by Julia Crawford Ivers who adapted her story from both Harry Leon Wilson's 1912 novel Bunker Bean and the novel's subsequent stage adaption, His Majesty Bunker Bean by Lee Wilson Dodd.[1][2] The film stars Jack Pickford, Louise Huff, Jack McDonald, Frances Clanton, Peggy O'Connell, and Edythe Chapman. The film was released by Paramount Pictures on April 8, 1918.[3][4][5]
Plot
As described in a film magazine,[6] through a clairvoyant Bunker Bean (Pickford) learns that in his various incarnations he has been Napoleon and Ramtah, an Egyptian king, and these facts spur him to greater things. He falls heir to some money and invests in stock which yields big returns and in a mummy of Ramtah, his first incarnation. He marries the daughter of his boss and, although at first afraid to face her parents, he summons the personages of his various incarnations to give him the strength to conquer and win them over.
Cast
- Jack Pickford as Bunker Bean
- Louise Huff as Breede's daughter
- Jack McDonald as Jim Breede
- Frances Clanton as Mrs. Wife
- Peggy O'Connell as Breede's oldest daughter
- Edythe Chapman as Older Mrs. Breede
- Jack Hoxie as The greatest pitcher
- Gustav von Seyffertitz as Professor Balthasar
- Edith M. Lessing as Countess Casanova
Preservation status
- Warner Brothers remade the film in 1925 starring Matt Moore. That film survives abridged or incomplete.[9][10]
References
Citations
- ^ Pollès 2001, p. 313.
- ^ Shaheen 2001, p. 116.
- ^ Hal Erickson (2015). "His-Majesty-Bunker-Bean – Trailer – Cast – Showtimes – NYTimes.com". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Baseline & All Movie Guide. Archived from the original on 8 January 2015. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
- ^ "His Majesty, Bunker Bean (1918) – Overview – TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
- ^ The AFI Catalog of Feature Films: His Majesty, Bunker Bean
- ^ "Reviews: His Majesty, Bunker Bean". Exhibitors Herald. 6 (17). New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company: 26. April 20, 1918.
- ^ The Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: His Majesty, Bunker Bean
- ^ Progressive Silent Film List: His Majesty, Bunker Bean (1918) at silentera.com
- ^ Progressive Silent Film List: His Majesty, Bunker Bean (1925) at silentera.com
- ^ 1925 film LoC database
Bibliography
- Pollès, Renan (2001). La Momie de Khéops à Hollywood: Généalogie d'un Mythe (in French). Éditions de l'Amateur. ISBN 9782859173036.
- Shaheen, Jack G. (2001). Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People. Olive Branch Press. ISBN 9781322483856.
External links