The Boomerang (1912)

Jack Curtis sends to his father, John Curtis, an old ranchman, half of his outfit and the following note. "Dear Father, I am sending you half of my boys. Don't starve them as you did the others. Your son, Jack." The new outfit take possession, but although the ranchman has full and plenty, the boys have only dry bread and potatoes. As the boys are complaining of their food, the ranchman receives a letter from his niece, stating that she and her husband are coming to pay him a visit and will bring their children. They arrive and the extra expense almost drives the old man frantic. They break his bric-a-brae. His cowboys demand better food, so when the ranchman sees a newspaper article which reads: "Epidemic of strange diseases resembling smallpox. Physicians puzzled. Contagion spreading. General quarantine may be ordered," he decides to get rid of the "whole bunch." Going to the wagon shed, he paints his face with small red spots, and the next morning appears among them. The foreman hurries for a doctor, while the boys and the visiting family start to pack at once. However, before they can leave the ranch, the doctor arrives and places the entire outfit under quarantine, and the old man in the smoke-house, where he is fed on buttermilk. A wagon-load of supplies is ordered in the meanwhile, and the ranchman is forced to pay for it. At last his son Jack arrives and together they succeed in convincing the doctor that the ranchman is not sick at all, while Jack convinces the ranchman of the folly of his stinginess.

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Summary Details
Running Time11 min
GenresComedy Short
FilmmakersRole
David Horsley Producer
CastRole
Howard Davies
Jack Conway
Jefferson Osborne
William Ryno