The Clicking of Cuthbert is a 1924 British silentcomedy series of six 30-minute short films, all involving golf. The series, directed by Andrew P. Wilson and starring Harry Beasley,[1] was based on short stories by P. G. Wodehouse. These stories were originally published in various magazines; some of the stories had been featured in the collection The Clicking of Cuthbert (1922), while others were later included in the collection The Heart of a Goof (1926).
The films were generally faithful to Wodehouse's original stories and used some of Wodehouse's language in the intertitles. However, some major new subplots and gags were added, including a mischievous caddie played by Harry Beasley. The framing device of The Oldest Member was removed, leaving Beasley as the only regular in the series. The films have been restored, and three have been made available together on video: Rodney Fails to Qualify, Chester Forgets Himself, and The Long Hole (retitled The Moving Hazard).[2]
Films
All six films featured Harry Beasley, credited as The Caddie.
Retitled The Moving Hazard in its reissue. Based on "The Long Hole", collected in The Clicking of Cuthbert. Cast: Charles Courtneidge as Ralph Bingham, Roger Keyes as Arthur Jukes, Daphne Williams as Amanda Trivett,[4] and Moore Marriott as the grocer.[3]
Ordeal by Golf
Based on "Ordeal by Golf", collected in The Clicking of Cuthbert. Cast: Edwin Underhill as Richard Dixon, Jean Jay as Millicent Boyd, Moore Marriott as Reverend Heeza Jones, and Jack Rowell as Mitchell Holmes.[3]
Rodney Fails to Qualify
Based on "Rodney Fails to Qualify", later collected in The Heart of a Goof. Cast: Victor Robson as Rodney Spelvin, Lionelle Howard as William Bates, Phyllis Lytton as June Pickard, and Dallas Cairns as Major Patmore.[3]