BEN TURPIN FILMOGRAPHY - VOGUE 1916-1917

VOGUE-MUTUAL (one reel each unless noted)

Ben and Paddy, His Blow Out

National Nuts

May 28, 1916     Dir: Jack Dillon

Ben Turpin, Paddy McQuire, Rena Rogers, Arthur Moon, Jack Gaines, Ed Sedgwick

Nailing a Lie

June 4, 1916     Dir: Jack Dillon

Ben Turpin, Paddy McQuire, Rena Rogers, Arthur Moon, Jack Gaines

His Blow Out (re-released c1921/22 as The Plumbers)

June 11, 1916     Dir: Jack Dillon

Ben Turpin (Bloggie), Paddy McQuire (Bungling Bill), Rena Rogers (Dora), Arthur Moon (The Crook), Jack Connelly, Ed Sedgwick, Louise Owens

   Bungling Bill and Bloggie read that a rich plumber is willing to let two men conduct his business while he is on his honeymoon. They apply, interest Murphy and he gives them the business. Murphy, seeing he has been buncoed, tries to follow the girl, but slim knocks him off the running board of the car. Arriving home, Slim and Dora find that a pipe is leaking. The janitor phones for Bloggie and Bill. Bill’s efforts to stop the water prove unavailing. He sees the stolen necklace and purloins it and starts out with Slim following him. From now on the complicated action is fast and furious. The picture closes in a gale of fun. (work title: Doctor the Leak)

• The Delinquent Bridegrooms  (EYE Film Institute)

June 18, 1916     Dir: Jack Dillon

Ben Turpin, Paddy McQuire, Rena Rogers, Arthur Moon, Jack Gaines, Ed Laurie, Louise Owens, Margaret Templeton

The Iron Mitt

June 25, 1916     Dir: Jack Dillon

Ben Turpin (Bloggie), Paddy McQuire (Bungling Bill), Jack Gaines (The Iron Saw), Ed Laurie (A Multi-Billionaire), Rena Rogers (His Daughter), Arthur Moon (The Detective)

Just for a Kid (re-re c1921/22 as The Leading Man)

July 2, 1916     Dir: Jack Dillon

Ben Turpin (Bloggie), Paddy McQuire (Bungling Bill), Rena Rogers (Rena), Arthur Moon (Her Husband), Jack Gaines (Joshua Elliot), Ed Laurie (The Doctor)

   Bill and Bloggie read in the paper that a “Better Babies Contest” is going to be held, and that $50,000 will be offered to the mother of the prize infant. The rogues steal the offspring of Mr. and Mrs. Moon, and, after many complications, Bloggie, dressed in women’s clothes, pushes a perambulator to the contest. Bloggie wins the prize with his “son Oscar,” only to find that the money is offered to encourage the birth of babies in China, and for this reason the $50,000 is paid in coin of that realm equal in America to about 17 cents.

Hired and Fired

July 9, 1916     Dir: Jack Dillon

Ben Turpin (Bloggie), Paddy McQuire (Bungling Bill), Arthur Moon (The Director), Rena Rogers (The Leading Lady), Jack Gaines (The Manager), Ed Laurie (Prop Man)

   Bungling Bill and Bloggie, youths out of work, through the advertising columns of a newspaper secure employment at the Vogue Studio. There they steal one of the property men’s lunch and the theft is blamed on the tragedian, who is always complaining of hunger. The director calls Bloggie to play his part. He has a long wavy mustache which Bill ties to one of the scene supporters after hitting him with a dumbell without satisfactory results. As the director calls for action, Bloggie enters the set, but falls, tearing off his mustache, and the scene is marred. After many trials he is discharged, and for his revenge he turns the fire hose loose in the studio with disastrous effects on everybody.

A Deep Sea Liar (re-re c1921/22 as The Landlubber)

July 16, 1916     Dir: Jack Dillon  Story: Robert A. Dillon

Ben Turpin (Bloggie), Paddy McQuire (Bungling Bill), Rena Rogers (Rena), Arthur Moon (the Agent), Jack Gaines (Admiral Shimsky)

   Admiral Shimsky comes to confer with Murray Sinclair, the Moth Ball Magnate, regarding the latter’s invention, which borders on the submarine. At the hotel, the head of the Limburger Navy is quite a social favorite. Moon, a government agent in love with Rena, the inventor’s daughter, has unsuccessfully tried to buy the invention. He employs two men to answer an ad which the hotel has inserted, stating that they need the services of two ex-sailors to act in ship-shape order while attending the wants of the Admiral. Events move rapidly to an uproariously funny ending. MPW: “The scenes are short and jerky, giving much of the action a meaningless character. The plot, which might have shown up to better advantage, is lost in the abrupt change of scenes. This is a rapid fire, slapstick comedy, in which the complications are too involved to detail.”

Bungling Bill’s Dress Suit

July 30, 1916    Dir: Jack Dillon    one reel

Paddy McQuire, Ben Turpin, Gypsy Abbott, Arthur Moon, Elsie Greeson, Jack Gaines

VOGUE-MUTUAL (now two reels each unless noted)

For Ten Thousand Bucks (re-re c1921/22 as Forced to Work)

July 23, 1916    Dir: Jack Dillon    two reels

Ben Turpin (Bloggie), Paddy McQuire (Bungling Bill), Arthur Moon (Jack Braveheart), Gypsy Abbott (His Sweetheart), Jack Gaines (Malcolm Valentine), Nell Farrin (Carmen), Ed Laurie (Ignatz Daschundsky)

   After Bill and Bloggie steal a flivver, are pursued by the police and take refuge in the apartment of Carmen Sapho, an adventuress, who hires them to steal a shipment of $10,000 from the Limited Express for her. They jump on the train and are arrested for trespass and forced to take jobs as strike brakers. Dressed as brakemen they collect the tickets from the passengers with disastrous results.

   Carmen is determined to get the money and trails the owner to his house. She notices a bag he carries and suspects it contains the money. She substitutes another bag for it going to his office and makes the exchange. As she is about to leave Valentine, the villian enters and snatches the wrong bag after knocking out the owner. Both Carmen and Valentine board the train and a fight for the bag ensues. Adventures galore befall the pair until finally the bag is returned to its owner and Bloggie and Bungling Bill are rewarded for their efforts.

Lost and Found

Lost and Found

August 6, 1916     Dir: Rube Miller    two reels

Ben Turpin, Rube Miller, Paddy McQuire, Lillian Hamilton

   Two crooks see Rube and Ben who have just arrived in town with a bag of money. The crooks follow them and steal their bag, taking it with them to their rendezvous. The rubes are unable to locate the crooks, and finally land in a park bemoaning their loss. While in the park they read an advertisement for shoe clerks. They apply for the positions, and are employed. Rube is given the women’s department and Ben the men’s. Ben complains to the manager, demands the women’s side, but is refused. A girl whom they had met in the park happens along, and comes in to purchase a pair of shoes. Ben insists upon waiting on her, and Rube, refusing to let him, starts an argument, while the girl intercedes. The girl’s sweetheart comes into the store and recognizes Rube and Ben as the two men he saw making love to his girl in the park. Thinking they are still trying to make love, he becomes angry and starts an argument. The manager, hearing the uproar, comes in in time to see them start a fight that tears up his store. He goes for the police and returns with three large officers who mix up in the fighting. Unable to win against those odds, Ben and Rube flee, and a chase ensues. The chase leads Rube and Ben to a barroom, where they discover the two crooks with their bag of money. They seize the bag and start a struggle. Meantime, the manager of the shoe store, lover and girl reach the exterior of the saloon; Rube and Ben are thrown against the brick wall, going through upon their pursuers amidst a falling of bricks and dust.

Some Liars

Some Liars (re-re c1921/22 as Why Men Leave Home)

August 13, 1916     Dir: Rube Miller    two reels

Ben Turpin, Rube Miller, Gypsy Abbott, Eva Thatcher, Owen Evans

The Stolen Booking (re-re c1921/22 as Brainstorming)

Sept 3, 1916     Dir: Rube Miller    two reels

Ben Turpin, Rube Miller, Ed Laurie, Larry Bowes

Doctoring a Leak

• Doctoring a Leak (re-re c1921/22 as A Total Loss)

Sept 17, 1916     Dir: Rube Miller    two reels

Ben Turpin, Rube Miller, Lillian Hamilton

• Poultry a la Mode

(re-re c1921/22 as The Harem) also known as Poultry

Oct 1, 1916     Dir: Rube Miller    two reels

Ben Turpin, Rube Miller, Lillian Hamilton (Omaho), Walter Rogers (Mohammed Alo)

   Rube and Ben are neighbors; one raises ducks on one side of their fence and the other raises geese on his side. They are caught flirting with a pretty girl by their wives and are warned to attend to their fowl. Rube and Ben get into a quarrel and dump their water buckets on each other. Meanwhile, a duck and goose waddle off and find the perfect watering hole in the home of a Sultan. They hasten back to tell the rest of their flocks, but not until Rube and Ben have followed them and behold a wonderful sight. The water in the pool had been treated with a magic liquid that turns the fowl into beautiful maidens. At the sight of this, and after a rough ejection by the home owner Turk, the boys hurry home to bring all their ducks and geese which are magically changed into a multitude of laughing girls. After breaking out of a trunk the boys had locked the Turk in, chaos abounds. Then the police arrive and it’s a rude awakening for the boys by their wives. Clips from this title have circulated as The Harem and Magic Pool

Ducking a Discord

Ducking a Discord

(re-re c1921/22 as The Hero)

Oct 15, 1916     Dir: Rube Miller    two reels

Ben Turpin, Rube Miller, Lillian Hamilton

   Rube’s wife is an expert at the Dutch Inn and Out. The house is filled with the music of the old accordian from dawn to dark. He decides to get rid of her, puts her in a bag and throws her in the river. She is rescued by Ben, who loves her devotedly. Together they plan to give Rube a scare. They cover their faces with flour, and she walks in on her husband in the midst of his lovemaking with Lillian. He thinks she is a spirit. Another time, when the pickpocket gang to which Rube belongs meets at their rendezvous, she appears again, and succeeds in crabbing the game forever for her erring husband.

He Died and He Didn’t

Oct 29, 1916     Dir: Rube Miller    two reels

Ben Turpin (The Gambler), Rube Miller (The Prospector), Lillian Hamilton (The Girl)

   The prospector enters the western dance hall and, upon seeing the gambler, takes a mallet and apparently kills the man. He is captured by the posse and as he is dangling from a tree tells the story of how, years before, he and Ben had been in Texas together, Ben fleecing Rube of all his savings, robbed him of his girl, and disappeared. As Rube is about to breathe his last word, a message is heard that Ben has recovered. The posse cut Rube down and takes him back. He discovers that the girl is still with Ben and is the mother of seven urchins. Ben tries to rid himself of this domestic burden, but Rube flees on his trick mule and has the last laugh on the gambler.  (work title: Revenge Is Sweet)

Picture Pirates   (#38)  

(re-re c1921/22 as High Art)

Nov 12, 1916     Dir: Rube Miller    two reels

Ben Turpin, Rube Miller (The Ne’er-Do-Wells), Lillian Hamilton, Rosie Rosee (Their Wives), Larry Bowes (The Picture Pirate), (Paddy McQuire?)

   Rube’s and Ben’s wives are waitresses. An art collector purchases a rare picture and the “picture pirate,” representing himself as another collector, calls on the first collector. As he is leaving the place Rube and Ben try to pick his pockets, and admonishing them as amateurs, he tells them to join in with him and try to steal the picture. They take the art collector’s wife with them to the same café wherein their wives are waitresses. Ben and Rube leave her there and hasten to her home to steal a copy of the picture, the owner having hid the original. They also drink some poisoned whiskey left for them and fall into a fit. Later the “picture pirate” pays Rube and Ben for the picture, thinking it is the original. MPW: The action is in burlesque style and does not get up much humor. Some of the knockabout scenes are fairly amusing, but as a whole the number is not strong.

The Wicked City

The Wicked City

(re-re c1921/22 as The Porter)

Dec 3, 1916     Dir: Robin Williamson    two reels

Ben Turpin (The Proprietor), Gypsy Abbott (The Waitress), Paddy McQuire (The Cook), Margaret Templeton (His Wife), Arthur Moon (The Drummer)

   Ben, proprietor of a small town restaurant and in love with his waitress, presents her with an engagement ring. About this time the waitress goes to the city to buy her trousseau. The cook receives word that a fortune awaits him in the city, and he and his wife leave. When the waitress arrives she finds that her aunt is not in town so puts up at the Chargealot Hotel. A drummer also decides to stay at the same place, but his room is given by mistake to the waitress. The cook and his wife get the rooms adjoining the waitress’, and the night after the Ben comes to the hotel, having just sold his restaurant. While there, things happen that keeps everyone jumping, and finally a wild chase ensues, which results in the drummer and waitress bungling into the home of a preacher, where they are married.

Shot in the Fracas  (#76)

(re-re c1921/22 as The Janitor)

Dec 10, 1916     Dir: Rube Miller    two reels

Ben Turpin (The Janitor), Margaret Templeton (His Wife), Paddy McQuire (The Peddler), Arthur Moon (The Husband), Gypsy Abbott (His Wife)

   Arthur Moon, a champion archer, who has a medal which he values highly, lives in a fashionable apartment with his wife, Gypsy. Ben, the janitor of the building, who believes in letting his wife do all the work, is in the hall sweeping when all of the trouble over the medal takes place. Paddy, the peddler, seeing the curtains in Arthur’s window swaying and thinking someone is flirting with him, climbs up the fire escape and enters Moon’s apartment. Here he spies the medal and pockets it just before Moon’s wife comes in. Paddy hides behind a screen and furtively watches Gypsy practice archery. One of her arrows hits Ben who is brought into her room to recover. Arthur comes home and, finding Ben in the house, becomes jealous. He misses the medal and begins searching. Paddy manages to slip it into Ben’s pocket and it is found. The medal falls into the hands of all concerned and finally to its rightful owners, but not before a two-story brick factory building is destroyed and Paddy takes a sail through the clouds.

Treed

Dec 17, 1916     Dir: Rube Miller    two reels

Rube Miller, Harry Huckins, Owen Evans, (Ben Turpin?)

Jealous Jolts

(re-re c1921/22 as A Country Lover)

Dec 31, 1916     Dir: Rube Miller    two reels

Ben Turpin, Paddy McQuire, Gypsy Abbott, Margaret Templeton, Arthur Moon

A Lisle Bank

Jan 14, 1917     Dir: Rube Miller    two reels

Paddy McQuire, Gypsy Abbott Arthur Moon, Edward Laurie, Margaret Templeton, (Ben Turpin?)

A Circus Cyclone  (#97)

Jan 28, 1917     Dir: Rube Miller

Ben Turpin, Paddy McQuire, Gypsy Abbott, Margaret Templeton, Arthur Moon

• The Musical Marvel  (#105)

(re-released c1921/22 as Some Jazz Baby)

Feb 11, 1917     Dir: Robin Williamson

Ben Turpin, Gypsy Abbott, Ed Laurie, Arthur Moon

• The Butcher’s Nightmare  (#115) 

(re-released c1921/22 as Ben’s Wild Dream)

Feb 25, 1917     Dir: Robin Williamson

Ben Turpin, Gypsy Abbott, Ed Laurie, Arthur Moon, Margaret Templeton, Fred J. Woodward

• His Bogus Boast  (#159)   

(re-released c1921/22 as A Cheerful Liar)

March 10, 1917     Dir: Robin Williamson

Ben Turpin, Gypsy Abbott, Ed Laurie, Arthur Moon, Margaret Templeton, (Carrie Turpin?). Ben in a dual role

• A Studio Stampede   

(re-released c1921/22 as Out of Control)

March 24, 1917     Dir: Robin Williamson

Ben Turpin, Gypsy Abbott (Dora Darling), Ed Laurie (movie director), Arthur Currier, Russell Powell (gateman)

• Why Ben Bolted

(re-released c1921/22 as He Looked Crooked)   

April 7, 1917     Dir: Robin Williamson

Ben Turpin, Gypsy Abbott, Ed Laurie, Lillian Hamilton  (wt: Frightened Flirts)

• Masked Mirth

(re-released c1921/22 as The Skyrocket)   

April 21, 1917     Dir: Robin Williamson   (BFI)

Ben Turpin, Lillian Hamilton, Ed Laurie, Arthur Currier, Margaret Templeton, Eugene Shaw

Bucking the Tiger

May 5, 1917     Dir: Robin Williamson

Ben Turpin, Lillian Hamilton, Arthur Currier, Ed Laurie, Margaret Templeton

Caught in the End, Turpin’s last film for Vogue
with Lillian Hamilton and Margaret Templeton

• Caught in the End  (#243)  

(re-released c1921/22 as After the Ball)

May 19, 1917     Dir: Robin Williamson    (LoC)

Ben Turpin, Lillian Hamilton, Arthur Currier, Ed Laurie, Margaret Templeton


Film titles preceded with a bullet (•) are known extant