"The Jack Knife Man" was among King Vidor's earliest works and the power of the movie did not escape Frederick James Smith, reviewer for "Motion Picture Classic". He wrote a glowing review praising Vidor for proving that there was an even greater movie in him, as his "Turn in the Road" suggested. Smith felt it was a film of tomorrow with genuine characters and a story you could believe in. Ellis Parker Butler's story was a traditional, homespun yarn which Vidor shot in authentic Mark Twain country along the Mississippi River - the stables, country roads, buggies and little corner stores make this film almost like viewing living history.
The lonely riverboat wanderer is played with poignant authenticity by Fred Turner. Claire MacDowall, an early Biograph actress was almost re-discovered by Vidor - not only was she memorable as the homeless dying mother who takes refuge from the storm in Lane's boat, Vidor also used her again in "The Big Parade". Also coming into the story, an old tramp tries to steal the boat and also becomes a rival with Peter for the little boy, Buddy's, affections (a plot similar to the later "Captain January", a big success for Baby Peggy). With all this sudsy plot line you would be forgiven for thinking it would be awash with sentimentality but no - Vidor strove for common humanity.
Peter Lane is content to live out his twilight years on a shanty boat with only his clock tinkering to keep him busy. The only gossip he inspires is how long will it be before the Widow Potter finally drags him to the altar!! Into his ordered life comes a desperate mother anxious to save her little boy Buddy from the hated juvenile authorities. Soon there is only old Peter and "Buddy Boy" left - they travel the river but Buddy, missing his mother is inconsolable, it is to make the little chap smile that Peter picks up his old jack knife and starts to whittle a Noah's Ark.
Booge is a hobo, first he tries to steal the boat then his carefree ways and comical singing almost steals Buddy's affection but with child protection agent Briggles hot on Peter's trail and with Booge proving a good friend, the two decide to split. Peter and Buddy, always only one step ahead of the law, find Susie, Buddy's sister and as much as Peter hates to do it, they must leave her where she is for now, in the hands of a brutal cook who runs a slop house. Little slavey Susie is really only a baby herself. The ending is tidied up in a typical "enteprenarial" way that was to become a fixture of the 1920s. Peter, now left on his own after surrendering Buddy to the authorities is taken up by a beautiful society girl (lovely Florence Vidor) who happens to see his little Noah's Ark figures and thinks he could make many little children smile again. He is set up in his own little store and, now prosperous and able to walk proudly, the finale is set for a reunion and a wedding!!
Fred Turner had been a vaudeville performer, he died in 1923. Harry Todd who played Booge had been a comedian from film's earliest days (notably in Snakeville comedies). What an adorable little boy Bobby Kelso was, his Buddy was a real cutie. Unfortunately this was his only film. Only Florence Vidor (King Vidor's wife at the time) could look forward to a flourishing career in the 1920s.
Very Highly Recommended!!
The lonely riverboat wanderer is played with poignant authenticity by Fred Turner. Claire MacDowall, an early Biograph actress was almost re-discovered by Vidor - not only was she memorable as the homeless dying mother who takes refuge from the storm in Lane's boat, Vidor also used her again in "The Big Parade". Also coming into the story, an old tramp tries to steal the boat and also becomes a rival with Peter for the little boy, Buddy's, affections (a plot similar to the later "Captain January", a big success for Baby Peggy). With all this sudsy plot line you would be forgiven for thinking it would be awash with sentimentality but no - Vidor strove for common humanity.
Peter Lane is content to live out his twilight years on a shanty boat with only his clock tinkering to keep him busy. The only gossip he inspires is how long will it be before the Widow Potter finally drags him to the altar!! Into his ordered life comes a desperate mother anxious to save her little boy Buddy from the hated juvenile authorities. Soon there is only old Peter and "Buddy Boy" left - they travel the river but Buddy, missing his mother is inconsolable, it is to make the little chap smile that Peter picks up his old jack knife and starts to whittle a Noah's Ark.
Booge is a hobo, first he tries to steal the boat then his carefree ways and comical singing almost steals Buddy's affection but with child protection agent Briggles hot on Peter's trail and with Booge proving a good friend, the two decide to split. Peter and Buddy, always only one step ahead of the law, find Susie, Buddy's sister and as much as Peter hates to do it, they must leave her where she is for now, in the hands of a brutal cook who runs a slop house. Little slavey Susie is really only a baby herself. The ending is tidied up in a typical "enteprenarial" way that was to become a fixture of the 1920s. Peter, now left on his own after surrendering Buddy to the authorities is taken up by a beautiful society girl (lovely Florence Vidor) who happens to see his little Noah's Ark figures and thinks he could make many little children smile again. He is set up in his own little store and, now prosperous and able to walk proudly, the finale is set for a reunion and a wedding!!
Fred Turner had been a vaudeville performer, he died in 1923. Harry Todd who played Booge had been a comedian from film's earliest days (notably in Snakeville comedies). What an adorable little boy Bobby Kelso was, his Buddy was a real cutie. Unfortunately this was his only film. Only Florence Vidor (King Vidor's wife at the time) could look forward to a flourishing career in the 1920s.
Very Highly Recommended!!