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Bumptious Plays Baseball
(1910) United States of America
B&W : Split-reel / 645 feet
Directed by (unknown)
Cast: John R. Cumpson [Bumptious]
Edison Manufacturing Company production; distributed by Edison Manufacturing Company. / © 7 October 1910 by Edison Manufacturing Company [J146436, J146437, J146438, J146439]. Released 7 October 1910; in a split-reel with The Farmer’s Daughter (1910). / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Comedy.
Synopsis: [The Moving Picture World, 15 October 1910, page 882] The story begins with Bumptious’ confident assertion that (to use the slang of the day) “he wrote the game,” and we follow him to the field of action where he proceeds to show the amateurs how it should be played. As it is only a morning practice game “fungo” hitting is in order, and Bumptious ordains to wield the ash but he fails in several successive, violent attempts to hit the ball and is banished to the infield. Of course the first ball that comes his way goes by him, to the infinite disgust of his pupils, whose remarks are of so unpleasant a nature that he puts on his coat and leaves the field vowing never to help them again. And then comes the day of the great game, when the home team pits its strength against that of another amateur nine from an adjoining town. People flock past Bumptious’ house, begging him to come and see the sport, but he is adamant. He refuses to take any interest in the game in which such poor players as his critics are to have the leading role; for one of his critics is to pitch, another is to catch and still another occupies third base. But when they have each gone by, even to the “Gum Chewing” girl, he weakens a little bit, looks longingly after them and finally, putting on his hat, strolls off in that direction, though all the time pretending that he is not going to the game. He does go, however, and occupies a seat in the front row of the grandstand. We see the pleased anticipation of the faces around him contrasted with his own scornful look, and then we turn our attention to the ball field itself where the critics are at work. They face the fearsome pitcher and, one after another, they go down before his prowess and take their seats on the players’ bench. Of course this produces a very disconcerting and melancholy effect upon the “fans” in the grandstand around Bumptious, and the contrast with his own evident satisfaction and even tumultuous joy over the downfall of his critics is something worth seeing. Then, when the game is at a critical point and the home team takes the infield (there are three men on bases and the score is tied) then it is that the home pitcher throws his shoulder out of joint and has to leave the game. What can they do? There is no one able to pitch. Someone suggests Bumptious. It is the last resort and although they hate to do it, they go in a committee to the grandstand and beg him to save the day for them. It takes a long time to persuade him, but finally he magniloquently agrees to help them out. The “populace” cheer him as he enters the field and takes off his cap, bowing modestly and gracefully to them. In the pitcher’s box he takes his stand, looks around the bases and prepares to pitch the game to a glorious finish. Suddenly, just as he is about to pitch the first ball, his attention is arrested. A troubled look comes over his face. He has evidently seen a hoodoo. And then we see that the “Gum Chewing” girl, the only unenthusiastic face in the grandstand, the only one that does not believe in him, has caught his attention at a critical moment. He fumbles with the ball, pitches it feebly, and, it sails into space. We even see it soaring through the clouds miles away, while the base runners scamper round scoring four runs and losing the game for the home team. The execration of the fickle public on poor Bumptious’ head is something terrible to behold, and we see him scampering across the field as though pursued by legions of malevolent fiends. Then he climbs through a hole in the fence, exhausted, out of breath and discouraged, and the final scene shows his hairbreadth escape from the crowd by climbing stealthily and ludicrously into his own kitchen window while they watch the front door.
Reviews: [The Moving Picture World, 22 October 1910, page 934] Perhaps no character in motion picture making is funnier than Bumptious. His confidence in himself is refreshing and his accidents and disappointments are wildly humorous. Here he is derided and ridiculed until he actually has a chance to make good. But just before he accomplishes it, his ever-present hoodoo appears, and he doesn’t succeed. The personality of the various players and the people in the grandstand are interesting, representing the various types seen about a ball game.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Keywords: Sports: Baseball
Listing updated: 15 April 2024.
References: Edelman-Baseball p. 19 : Website-AFI; Website-IMDb.
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