When Samuel Skidded (1915)
While boarding a streetcar, wealthy, middle-aged Samuel Peckham slips, and the car starting up suddenly, throws him to the street. The only injury he suffers is a ruined suit of clothes, but his wife Maria insists he ought to make some money out of the mishap. She accordingly keeps at him until he finally writes to the railroad company demanding $50,000 damages for serious injuries resulting from the company's carelessness. Maria then rehearses Samuel on walking lame and answering possible questions. The Company's Claim Agent pays them a visit and offers to settle for $100 cash. Samuel is about to jump at the chance, but his wife butts in and tells the agent, "$50,000 or we sue." The agent, with an ironical grin, walks out. Shortly afterwards the company doctor examines Samuel, and although he can find nothing the matter, is greatly puzzled to discover that the slightest touch apparently causes the patient excruciating pain. He notifies the company he suspects crooked work and a young lady detective is set on the trail. She starts a flirtation with Samuel when he limps from the house to attend a poker party, and he follows her. They go to a tango restaurant and have several dances. Samuel stays so late he has to enter his home through his bedroom window by means of a ladder. The lady detective's report of all this convinces the company that the case is fraudulent, and a plot is laid to trap the pair. Suit is instituted and at the trial the company's lawyer makes Samuel walk up and down to show the court how badly he is crippled, then has him show how well he walked before the accident. Samuel, without thinking, steps out in a natural manner. That settles it. and after Samuel has paid the costs the judge orders the case thrown out of court. To cap the climax he is confronted by the lady detective and her remarks cause Maria to tell Samuel that if she were the judge she would send him to jail for 100 years and make it an indeterminate sentence.
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GenresComedy
Short
IMDbPro
See more details at IMDbPro
| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| Edmond F. Stratton | Director |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Jack Brawn | |
| Kate Price | |
| Ethel Corcoran | |
| Marion Henry |
