The Boys Think They Have One on Foxy Grandpa, but He Fools Them

SUMMARY
Opens on a stage with a stone fence and a painted backdrop of a forest or garden. In front of the fence is a bench, on which sits Joseph Hart as the cartoon character of Foxy Grandpa, reading a newspaper or magazine. He sports a bald pate with white bushy hair on the sides, a large bulbous nose, and a potbelly, and wears spats with a light-colored suit, vest, and tie. From stage right enter two mischievous boys, "Chub" and "Bunt," dressed in matching suits with short pants to the knee and dark stockings, boots, and caps. One of the boys carries a banjo. They stop and gesture at Foxy Grandpa, laughing, and hand him the banjo when he looks up and notices them. As the boys laugh and poke each, Grandpa begins to play the banjo like a pro, inducing the boys to engage in a bit of tap or shuffle dancing. When they finish, Foxy Grandpa takes the floor while providing his own music on the banjo. As the boys clap and watch in amazement, Grandpa tap dances and performs advanced movements such as split kicks. Closes with all three dancing offstage.

CREATED/PUBLISHED
United States: American Mutoscope and Biograph Company, 1902.
NOTES
Copyright: American Mutoscope & Biograph Co.; 23May1902; H18036.

Camera, Robert K. Bonine.

Based on the musical Foxy Grandpa by William A. Brady, which was based on the comic strip by Carl E. "Bunny" Schultz.

Filmed May 17, 1902, in the Biograph New York City studio.

SUBJECTS
Foxy Grandpa (Fictitious character)--Drama.
Banjo--United States--Drama.
Banjoists--United States--Drama.
Boys--United States--Conduct of life--Drama.
Practical jokes--Drama.
Tap dancing--United States.
Silent films.
Comedies.
Vaudeville.
Dance.
Shorts.

RELATED NAMES
Hart, Joseph, 1858-1921, cast.
Bonine, R. (Robert K.), camera.
American Mutoscope and Biograph Company.
Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)

DIGITAL ID
(m) varsmp http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/varstg:@field(NUMBER+@band(varsmp...))

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• library
• congress
• silent
• Banjo
• Practical
• jokes
• Tap
• dancing
• Comedies
• Vaudeville