Borrowed Clothes; or, Fine Feathers Make Fine Birds (1909)
Gaston and Henri, two struggling artists, are discovered in their poorly furnished studio as the postman brings a letter inviting them to a banquet. At first they are overjoyed, then realizing that their clothes are too shabby, sink back in utter despair. A few moments later, a young man fashionably dressed, but very awkward and gawky, enters and presents a letter. This proves to be from a mutual friend introducing the bearer, Mr. John Hayseed, who has fallen heir to a large fortune and wants his portrait painted. Both artists are over-courteous to the newcomer, then the same idea comes to both; one at least can attend the banquet if clothes can be secured. They retire behind the screen and throw dice as to which will wear the clothes of Mr. Hayseed. Henri wins. Returning to their customer they discuss the kind of portrait he wants painted and find that his choice is to be portrayed in his new suit. After considerable coaxing, bluffing and threatening, they succeed in getting him to put on a Roman gladiator's costume. This, of course, necessitates his removing his entire outfit, which Henri at once appropriates and starts out for the banquet. Mr. Hayseed takes his position and Gaston starts painting, but as the hours go by he becomes tired, hungry and begs for his clothes. The artist has his own troubles in pacifying John, while Henri, resplendent in the "borrowed clothes," is being complimented on all sides for his swell appearance. As time passes on, Henri gets into a blissful state of intoxication and, with his companions, starts for the studio. Here there is trouble. The countryman refuses to pose any longer, starts for the ante-room, where he discovers that his clothes are missing. He is furious, and while arguing with Gaston as to their whereabouts, the door bursts open and Henri, with three friends, staggers in. John recognizes his clothes, grabs the wearer, and commences to rough it, when the janitor appears and throws them all out of the building.
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GenresComedy
Short
IMDbPro
See more details at IMDbPro
| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| Van Dyke Brooke | Director |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Van Dyke Brooke |
