Billy Van Deusen’s Campaign (1915)

movie

Country: USA
Genres: Comedy, Short
Release: 1915-11-05
Director: Archer MacMackin
Writers: N/A
Language: None | English
Stars: John Steppling , Carol Holloway , John Sheehan , Bessie Banks , Rae Berger , Bobby Burns
Runtime: min
Awards: N/A
AKA: Billy Van Deusen's Campaign , Billy Van Deusen's Campaign (United States of America)
Plot: Billy Van Deusen, a wealthy bachelor, living at his club, rescues Helen from an awkward predicament, while she is engaged in charitable work in a tenement. They become friends, and Billy falls in love with her. When he proposes, she tells him that she can't marry him because he has never done anything worthwhile, and suggests that he perform some distinguished and useful act. Billy consults with his club friends, and is advised to run for mayor, which he does. James O'Brien is the labor candidate for the same office. He earns Helen's gratitude by rescuing her from a "drunk." Both candidates canvass the city for votes. On election day a political lieutenant tells Billy that he cannot be elected unless he secures the votes of the women. Billy buys a lot of parasols, goes into the tenement district and distributes them among the women, asking them to vote for him, which they agree to do, provided Billy will take care of their children, while they are at the polls. Billy does so. Jim hears of Billy's sunshade scheme and immediately gets out handbills, announcing that all who vote for him are invited to attend a picnic to be held at a nearby park. When the women arrive at the polls they are captured by Jim. They vote for him and are taken to the picnic. The earliest returns indicate a landslide for Jim. He rushes to Helen and takes her to the picnic, where she promises to become the wife of the next mayor. The mothers remember their children, and Jim and Helen go to get the youngsters. They find Billy in distress as the children have gained mastery of him. Jim announces his victory and his engagement to Helen. They proceed to the picnic with the children, while Billy collapses, thus ending his efforts for a distinguished career.
IMDB:tt0416585