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Generous Customers
Also known as {Generous Customer}
(1910) United States of America
B&W : Split-reel
Directed by [?] Gaston Méliès and/or William F. Haddock?
Cast: Francis Ford
G. Méliès production; distributed [?] on State Rights basis by G. Méliès? / Produced by Gaston Méliès. Cinematography by [?] William Paley? / Released 3 November 1910; in a split-reel with The Birthday Cigars (1910). / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Comedy.
Synopsis: [The Moving Picture World, 5 November 1910, page 1] “Business is on the Fritz,” nothing to do but complain, and everything seems to be going to the “demnition bow-wows.” “If things get much worse I’ll close up,” says the restaurateur to his waiter. “And I’ll give up me job,” says the waiter, “if I can’t get any money out of the place.” What’s that? It’s a “joy wagon” with a crowd of tourists: they’re headed for the restaurant. Immediately the proprietor and the waiter get a move on and hustle out to receive the guests who are soon conducted into the dining-room, served, dined and wined with alacrity that is almost magical. The host and his waiter are all smiles and are astonished as well as pleased at the liberal way in which their customers order everything and anything. Not only do they feed well, but they invite the proprietor and his assistant to partake of their wine; and soon everybody is in a jovial mood. The proprietor presents the bill to his customers, and it is suggested that they blindfold the manager of the restaurant and the waiter, and the first one of the diners who is caught by them will have to pay the bill. The two men are much pleased with the idea and, after the handkerchiefs are tied over their eyes and while they are groping about the room, the customers all escape and make off in their automobile just as the proprietor and his assistant make a lively dash after the departing guests. Gloom surrounds the refectory, and while the men of victuals are kicking themselves and denouncing each other, a messenger comes in with a note from the waggish patrons enclosing a check in payment for the dinner and a forty-dollar tip for the waiter. Joy takes the place of gloom and the two happy men fall in fond and ecstatic embrace in each other’s arms.
Reviews: [The Nickelodeon, 15 November 1910, page ?] A rollicking farce that pleases every minute. The central idea is good and the supplementary details have been effectively worked up. The setting alone deserves high praise; what a relief it is from the ordinary canvas interior with its flimsy painted walls and woodwork. Some of the action has a touch of slap-stick, but it is done so buoyantly and in such high spirits that the taint is mitigated.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 22 May 2024.
References: Thompson-Star pp. 38, 139-140, 229 : ClasIm-226 p. 54 : Website-AFI.
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