The Old Homestead
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
James Kirkwood
Frank Losee
Creighton Hale
Denman Maley
Louise Huff
Mrs. Corbett
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
While sitting on his porch in West Swanzey, New Hampshire, Josh Whitcomb befriends Happy Jack Hazzard, a hungry tramp, and persuades him to reform. Before his marriage to Ruth Stratton, Reuben Whitcomb, Josh's son, is arrested for bank robbery and thrown in jail. Through the testimony of Jack, the real thief is apprehended, but a panicked Reuben has already escaped and fled to New York where he falls under the influence of a gang of hard-drinking thugs. Jack, now a prosperous businessman, runs into Reuben, drunk in the street, and notifies Josh of his whereabouts. Before his father arrives, Reuben takes off once again, and Josh is forced to stay with Henry Hopkins, a West Swanzey native whose city wife gives Josh a cold reception. While standing in front of Grace Church, Josh bumps into Hazzard and later, an intoxicated Reuben and his police escort. With Jack's help, Reuben is released and returns to the old homestead and his faithful fiancée.
Director
James Kirkwood
Cast
Frank Losee
Creighton Hale
Denman Maley
Louise Huff
Mrs. Corbett
Horace Newman
Thomas Wood
Margaret Seddon
Russell Simpson
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Denman Thompson first wrote and performed the character of Joshua Whitcomb in 1875 for a vaudeville sketch called "Joshua Whitcomb." In 1886, Thompson expanded the story to four acts and presented it as a full-blown play, which toured the United States until his death thirty years later. Some scenes were shot at the Thompson homestead in West Swanzey, NH, in the town of West Swanzey and at Grace Church in New York City. Photographs of the stage costumes and sets were used as guides for the film. This film was re-issued on December 2, 1918. It was re-made by Famous Players-Lasky in 1922, directed by James Cruze and starring Theodore Roberts (see AFI Catalog of Feature Films, 1921-30; F2.3946).
