Anything Once
Anything Once

Movie spotlight

Anything Once

1917
Movie
50 min
English

A Playboy inherits a Western ranch on the condition that he shall run it properly for 6 months. A villain makes an attempt to distract him from reaching the goal, but he, no longer the wastrel of yore, persists and becomes full owner of the property.

Insights

Director: James D. DavisGenres: Comedy, Short

Plot Summary

In this silent comedy short, a man attempts to navigate the complexities of a romantic entanglement with multiple women. His efforts to keep his affairs separate lead to a series of comical misunderstandings and near misses. The plot culminates in a chaotic situation where his deceptions are on the verge of being revealed, testing his ability to think on his feet.

Critical Reception

As a short silent comedy from 1917, 'Anything Once' was likely received as light entertainment typical of the era. Contemporary reviews focused on its comedic timing and the actors' performances, particularly the lead's ability to convey embarrassment and cunning through physical comedy. Such shorts were generally judged on their ability to elicit laughter and provide a brief diversion.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film offered typical slapstick humor of the early silent film era.

  • Performances relied heavily on physical comedy and exaggerated expressions.

  • Shorts like this were popular for their straightforward comedic plots.

Google audience: Audience reception data from 1917 is not available in a format comparable to modern reviews. However, short comedies of this period were generally popular for providing accessible and lighthearted entertainment.

Fun Fact

This film is considered a 'lost film' as no known prints or fragments of 'Anything Once' currently exist, making it difficult to analyze its specific comedic techniques or historical impact beyond surviving production notes and plot synopses.

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