Movie spotlight
Alkali Ike Plays the Devil
Alkali Ike receives some good news one morning in the form of an invitation from the boys of a nearby town to attend a masquerade ball with his best girl. Much elated. Alkali calls on Sophie and she gladly agrees to go. Alkali now goes to the town postmistress, secures the address of a costume firm and writes for a costume. It arrives in the nature of a Mephisto garb, horns, tail and all.
Insights
Plot Summary
Alkali Ike, a boisterous and somewhat dim-witted ranch hand, finds himself in a series of comical predicaments. In this particular escapade, his naive actions lead to him being mistaken for the devil himself, causing a stir among the local townsfolk.
Critical Reception
As a very early silent short film, 'Alkali Ike Plays the Devil' is difficult to assess with modern critical metrics. It was part of a popular series and likely received audience appreciation for its slapstick humor and the persona of Broncho Billy Anderson.
What Reviewers Say
Simple, effective slapstick comedy typical of the era.
Broncho Billy Anderson's established persona drives the humor.
A brief, lighthearted entertainment piece.
Google audience: Information regarding specific Google user reviews for this 1912 short film is not available.
Fun Fact
The 'Alkali Ike' character was one of the earliest recurring comedic figures in American cinema, with this short being part of a prolific series produced by Essanay Studios.
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