Mister Antonio

1929 Comedy 73 minutes Directed by James Flood

“Laugh Along the Road to Romance with Mr. Antonio, His Strange Caravan and his Delightful Dialect.”

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About Mister Antonio

Antonio Camaradino, a florist and hurdy-gurdy player played by Leo Carrillo, helps Milton Jorny, mayor of Avalonia, after Jorny is robbed of his coat and money in a bar. Avalonia had once arrested Tony for playing in the street. Camped outside town, Tony meets June Ramsey, played by Virginia Valli, whom the mayor has banished for being seen in a roadhouse during his reelection. Tony reminds Jorny of the bar. The mayor asks June back, she accepts, and she leaves with Tony.

Cast & crew

More about Mister Antonio

James Flood and Frank Reicher directed. Fanny Hatton and Frederick Hatton adapted Booth Tarkington's 1916 play. John M. Stahl produced. Ernest Miller photographed it, and Arthur Roberts edited. Lee Zahler wrote the score. Tiffany-Stahl released an RCA Photophone version of about eight reels, 6,978 feet, and a silent version in six reels at 5,362 feet. Gareth Hughes plays Joe. Frank Reicher also plays Milton Jorny. Eugenie Besserer plays Mrs. Jorny. Franklin Lewis plays Earl Jorny. Otis Skinner had played Antonio on Broadway.

Themes

  • A mayor robbed in a bar
  • A town that banned the hurdy-gurdy
  • June leaves with Tony
  • Antonio Camaradino
  • Milton Jorny
  • June Ramsey
  • Avalonia
  • hurdy-gurdy
  • roadhouse

Look

Ernest Miller photographed both the Photophone release and the shorter silent version.

Music

Lee Zahler wrote the score for the RCA Photophone version. A silent version was also issued, in six reels.

Preservation

A print is in the Library of Congress collection.

Notes

  • AFI dates the release October 1, 1929. Silent Era leaves the day as either October 1 or October 15.
  • A Portland, Oregon, opening came in the middle or late part of October. The New York opening was December 6, 1929.
  • Copyright LP742 was registered September 23, 1929.
  • Hollywood Filmograph, in June and July 1929, called the part Carrillo's first starring role for Tiffany-Stahl.

Scenes

  • Tony finds the mayor without a coat or money and later uses that night as leverage.
  • June takes the mayor's apology and then goes off with Tony.

Influenced by

  • Mister Antonio (Booth Tarkington play)

Also available

  • Wikimedia Commons (Mister Antonio (1929).webm)