The Little Boy Scout

The Little Boy Scout is a lost[1] 1917 American silent drama film produced by Famous Players Film Company and released by Paramount Pictures. It was directed by Francis J. Grandon and starred Ann Pennington.[2] The motion picture was also known as “The Little Soldier Girl”[3]

The Little Boy Scout
Directed byFrancis J. Grandon
Produced byAdolph Zukor
Written byCharles Sarver
StarringAnn Pennington
CinematographyWilliam Marshall
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
June 18, 1917
Running time
5 reels
CountryUnited States
LanguageSilent (English intertitles)

Plot

As described in a film magazine review,[4] the film takes place during the American troop maneuvers along the border during the Mexican Revolution. Justina Howland (Pennington) lives with Miguel Alvarez (Fraunholtz), her Mexican guardian, who insists that she marry his son Luis (Burton). On the eve of the wedding Justina rebels and leaves, and at the border is taken in by Thomas Morton (Moore) and his company of Massachusetts soldiers. Justina goes to live with her aunt Elizabeth (Harris) and, shortly after her arrival there, the troops from the border return and Justina renews her acquaintance with Thomas. In order to save herself from her Mexican uncle, who has pursued her, she marries Thomas.

A Reading, Pennsylvania, newspaper review described the movie in detail: "The Little Boy Scout tells the story of a little American girl who runs away from her woad to marry a soldier boy ... The various scenes show the National Guard encampment along the Rio Grand of a year ago ... and a particularly interesting feature is the appearance of Troop No. 100, the crack Boy Scout unit of the United States. Justina Howland lives in Mexico with her guardian and uncle, Miguel, who plans to leave her marry his son, Luis. Justina refuses and runs away from them across the boarder to the American side, where she is taken care of by a company of soldiers under the command of Lieutenant Morton. They take up a collection to reach her Aunt Betty in Massachusetts. She arrives there the same time Lieutenant does, and she later finds out that he is the scout master of the local organization. Her uncle follows her to Massachusetts, asserting that he will force her to marry his son. One of the buy scouts is hurt and is brought to her aunt’s house. Justina decides to put on his uniform and get away through the window while her aunt holds off the search party. With the help of Lieutenant Morton and the boy scouts she reaches the New Hampshire boundary. Her uncle catches up with them and while he goes to secure a New Hampshire sheriff Morton secures a minister and she and Justina are married." [5]

Dancing was also featured: “In one scene the star is given opportunity to display her dancing ability which first won her fame when she was a prominent figure in the Zigfield “Follies” in New York City.[6] Boy Scout Troop 100, from the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York City, and featured in the movie[7] was known for its drilling and signaling skills.[8] A picture of Pennington in a Troop 100 uniform appeared in the St. Louis Star and Times that year.[9]

Cast

Reception

Like many American films of the time, The Little Boy Scout was subject to cuts by city and state film censorship boards. The Chicago Board of Censors required the cutting of a closeup showing currency in a hat.[10]

References
  1. The Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog:The Little Boy Scout
  2. The AFI Catalog of Feature Films: The Little Boy Scout
  3. see, e.g. The Hnnover PA Evening Star, December 26, 1917, page 3, The Fort Wayne Daily News, September 7, 1917 page 4, The Greenboro, NC, Daily News, July 22, 1917, part II, page 5
  4. "Reviews: Ann Pennington in The Little Boy Scout". Exhibitors Herald. New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company. 5 (4): 28. 21 July 1917. Retrieved 2014-11-10.
  5. Redading News-Times, Reading PA, July 13, 1917 p. 6
  6. The Honolulu Advertiser, November 30, 1917 page 5
  7. Washington, D.C. Evening Start, June 10, 1917. Section II page 2
  8. The Brooklyn, NY Daily Eagle, June 28, 1916, page 4; Detroit Free Press June 11, 1917, page 6
  9. St. Louis Star and Times, July 8, 1917 page 16
  10. "Official Cut-Outs by the Chicago Board of Censors". Exhibitors Herald. New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company. 5 (4): 33. 21 July 1917. Retrieved 2014-11-10.
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