Skinner's Baby

Skinner's Baby
Directed byHarry Beaumont
StarringBryant Washburn
Hazel Daly
James C. Carroll
U.K. Haupt
Production
company
Release date
  • August 6, 1917 (1917-08-06)
CountryUnited States
LanguageSilent (English intertitles)

Skinner's Baby is a 1917 American silent comedy film starring Bryant Washburn, Hazel Daly, James C. Carroll, and U.K. Haupt. This film projected Washburn out of obscurity; it was quite a success.[1][2][3] It was Jackie Coogan's first film role, as the baby, though uncredited.[4][5] The film is believed to be lost.

It was released on August 6, 1917,[6] and loosely based on the story by Henry Irving Dodge. The movie was the third of a Skinner series for Washburn, with Skinner's Dress Suit coming first in January 1917, followed by Skinner's Bubble and Skinner's Baby, all in the same year.[7][8][9][10]

Motography wrote that while the film "lacks the plot material of the earlier releases, it contains enough of human interest to 'get by' easily with most audiences."[11] Variety concluded that it was "a sweet wholesome picture with little touches of sentiment interwoven that tug at the heart strings, a feature that provides clean, pleasurable entertainment."[12]

Cast

References

  1. ^ Lahue, Kalton C. Gentlemen to the Rescue, p. 231 (1972) ("It was in 1917 feature hits like Skinner's Dress Suit, Skinner's Baby, and Skinner Steps Out (adapted from a popular series of stories by Henry Dodge) that Bryant really scored big ...")
  2. ^ "Gallery of Photo Players". Motion Picture Magazine. New York: Brewster Publications. March 1918. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  3. ^ (20 April 1918). What the Picture Did for Me - Kleine, Motography, p. 737
  4. ^ Cary, Dianna Serra. Jackie Coogan: The World's Boy King, p. 20 (2003)
  5. ^ Soll, Rick (28 March 1974). Coogan not 'Kid' anymore, but he cling to past, Chicago Tribune
  6. ^ M'Elliott, Mabel (1 August 1917). Largely Fun, and Very Light is "Skinner's Baby", Chicago Daily Tribune (review)
  7. ^ Early American Cinema, p. 24 (1994 ed.)
  8. ^ (21 July 1917). In "Skinner's Baby" They Find, After All, It's a Girl, Motion Picture News
  9. ^ (25 August 1917). Advertisement, Motion Picture News
  10. ^ (11 August 1917). Bryant Washburn in "Skinner's Baby" (review), Exhibitor's Herald, p. 25
  11. ^ (11 August 1917). Current Releases Reviews, Motography
  12. ^ Samuel, O.M. (3 August 1917) Film Review - Skinner's Baby, Variety, p. 23