His First Flame
About His First Flame
Harry Howells graduates with a speech on the goodness of women and plans to marry Ethel Morgan. His uncle, fire chief Amos McCarthy, three times divorced, tells him Ethel wants the money. Harry finds the warning is right. Ethel's sister Mary is interested in him instead. Still low, he spends the night at the firehouse.
Cast & crew
More about His First Flame
Harry Edwards directed, Frank Capra and Arthur Ripley wrote it, and Mack Sennett produced it for a Pathé release on 3 May 1927, after a New York opening on 30 April. AFI says it was shot in spring 1925, at 4,700 feet, and held for Langdon's First National success. Wikipedia gives 48 minutes, and Variety timed the New York show at 55.
Themes
Look
William Williams and Ernie Crockett shot it, including a deep-focus gag of two household fights at once, noted by critic Michael Barrett.
Preservation
A print is on the Internet Archive and Wikimedia Commons.
Notes
- Harry Langdon plays Harry Howells. Natalie Kingston is Ethel. Ruth Hiatt is Mary. Vernon Dent is Amos McCarthy.
- Ernie Crockett and William Williams photographed it. William Hornbeck edited.
- AFI says modern sources time a cut at 70 minutes, and that five-reel and three-reel versions went out.
- Sennett copyrighted material on 6 February 1926 as LU22377.
Scenes
- Harry hands Amos the flowers and candy meant for Ethel.
- He beds down in the firehouse after Ethel's motive is clear.
Also available
- Internet Archive (his_first_flame)
- Wikimedia Commons (His First Flame (1927).webm)
