The Busher (1919)

A young baseball pitcher in the bush leagues is discovered by a big-league manager and given his chance in the major leagues. But will he be up to the challenge?

Director:

Jerome Storm

Writers:

R. Cecil Smith (scenario), Earle Snell (short story "South Paw")

Stars:

Charles Ray, Colleen Moore, John Gilbert

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Charles Ray	...	Ben Harding
Colleen Moore	...	Mazie Palmer
John Gilbert	...	Jim Blair (as Jack Gilbert)
Jay Morley	...	Billy Palmer
Otto Hoffman	...	Deacon Nasby

Storyline

A young baseball pitcher in the bush leagues is discovered by a big-league manager and given his chance in the major leagues. But will he be up to the challenge?

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Plot Keywords:

baseball pitcher | baseball | city country contrast | hotel | fired from the job | 

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Genres:

Drama | Sport

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 May 1919 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Thomas H. Ince Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

55 min 55 min (2007 alternate)

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Why Be Good? Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema (2007)

User Reviews

A Baseball Hit for Charles Ray

Charles Ray (as Benjamin "Ben" Harding) is a country boy who loves baseball; he's the pride of small town Brownsville. His sweetheart, Colleen Moore (as Mazie Palmer), has a batting average of 1,000 in Mr. Ray's affection - however, he barely gets to first base! John "Jack" Gilbert (as Jim Blair) is a rival for Ms. Moore's affections; he is not only a heel, with a tendency to drink and gamble - Mr. Gilbert is also more well-heeled, being a banker's son. When St. Paul Pink Sox, a big league team, is stranded in Brownsville, Ray gets to strut his stuff; then, he is offered a major league spot. Will success spoil Ben Harding?

Ray is convincing as "The Busher", displaying the little mannerisms which made him so successful in this type of part. His face and body movements expertly portray the "innocent country boy" type. He says, "Gosh!". Entering a social, he pats his hair down with a licked hand. His performance at the "Box Social" is charming - at this occasion, the men "bid" on women they can only see as shadows behind a screen. Moore and Gilbert are fine in the supporting roles; both would become major 1920s stars.

The St. Paul Pink Sox? It might have been a combination of the Boston Red and White Sox. Ray's curve ball nicely strikes out into one of the title cards, and that "Box Social" sure looked fun. It's difficult to believe a major league baseball team considers you finished after one bad game, though; if that were true, there would be no baseball.

****** The Busher (5/18/19) Jerome Storm ~ Charles Ray, Colleen Moore, John Gilbert, Jay Morley