He Couldn't Dance, But He Learned (1909)
Mr. Wallflower, attending a ball, is seen leaning against the side of the building acting very bored. He cannot dance, watches the others and, endeavoring to get out of their way, is upset several times. The host introduces him to several ladies and to them he explains his inability to dance. The dancers turn away laughing and as festivities are resumed the host introduces him to a young lady who insists that he make an attempt. He tries, ending up by knocking over the punch bowl and table. He rushes madly from the house, reaches home and sits down disgusted with himself and lights his pipe. Suddenly in the paper this article meets his gaze: "Why be a wallflower? Professor Miracle teaches dancing in one lesson. Special hypnotic method." He at once decides to become an adept and starts for the professor's. The latter enters as Wallflower enters and explains his mission. The professor hypnotizes him. Wallflower leaves and outside tries some intricate buck steps and is elated over his proficiency. He dances down the street and around the corner, where he runs into an old man. The old gent watches for a moment, then begins dancing himself. Further along they come upon an old maid. Wallflower abandons the old man and commences dancing with her. In front of a cigar store they are doing their steps when the Indian image standing in front gets the fever and starts. A stuffed boar standing before a fur store also gets under the spell and dances with the Indian, A policeman, who endeavors to stop the proceedings, gets the habit and joins the merry throng. They all dance along until they come to a restaurant and, entering, the customers get the habit and before long the place is a total wreck. Back to Wallflower's apartments. He is seen to tip his chair backwards. His pipe drops from his mouth, he picks it up, draws furiously on it, but finds no fire. He then sits in the chair with an attitude of despair, realizing that he has had a pipe dream.
All Releases
Domestic
–
–
International
–
–
Worldwide
–
–
GenresComedy
Short
IMDbPro
See more details at IMDbPro
