When the Clouds Roll by (1919)

Psychiatrist Dr. Ulrich Metz attempts to drive Daniel Brown to suicide.

Director:

Victor Fleming

Writer:

Thomas J. Geraghty (scenario)

Stars:

Douglas Fairbanks, Albert MacQuarrie, Kathleen Clifford

Cast

Cast overview:
Douglas Fairbanks	...	Daniel Boone Brown
Albert MacQuarrie	...	Hobson
Kathleen Clifford	...	Lucette Bancroft
Frank Campeau	...	Mark Drake
Ralph Lewis	...	Curtis Brown
Herbert Grimwood	...	Dr. Ulrich Metz
Daisy Jefferson	...	Bobby De Vere
Bull Montana	...	The Nightmare
Victor Fleming	...	Himself
Thomas J. Geraghty	...	Himself (as T.J.G.)
William C. McGann	...	Himself
Harris Thorpe	...	Himself

Storyline

The comfortable and amiable Daniel Boone Brown, a resident of New York's water front, becomes the victim of a mad scientist's psychological experiments. For days, Dr. Ulrich Metz messes up Daniel's life, bringing on failing health, restless sleep, a nervous and irritable disposition, tardiness for work, and superstitions that cause worry and fear. Several months into the ordeal, one of Metz's minions, hired as Daniel's livery, feeds him a midnight snack of spring onions, lobster, Welsh rarebit and mince pie. We see the contents of his stomach causing pain and distress; then he has vivid and surreal nightmares. Will Metz succeed in driving Daniel to suicide?

---

Plot Keywords:

superstition | nightmare | psychiatrist | embarrassment | rival business | 

---

Genres:

Action | Comedy | Romance

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 December 1919 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cheer Up

Company Credits

Production Co:

Douglas Fairbanks Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White (color toned)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The first film directed by Victor Fleming.

---

Crazy Credits

Credits for Douglas Fairbanks, Victor Fleming, Thomas Geraghty, William McGann and Harris Thorpe are presented with footage of the differant people at work. Fleming is shown shouting orders from a director's chair, Geraghty is seated at a desk, writing, and McGann and Thorpe stand side by side, cranking motion picture cameras.

---

Connections

Featured in Birth of Hollywood: Episode #1.3 (2011)

User Reviews

A work of comic genius from Fairbanks and Fleming!

What a miracle this film is! Designed as a "cheer 'em up film" following the dark days of World War 1, this is a wildly energetic and fanciful comedy, that is truly life-affirming.

Doug is his usual cheerful self, performing some amazing stunts, and lighting up the screen with his ebullient personality. Under the sure direction of Victor Fleming - making his debut as a director - the film never misses a beat, and is full of surprises.

There are a couple of moments of pure fantasy, including an insane dream sequence, and scenes set in Doug's brain and in his stomach! And the whole thing comes to a wild special effects climax when a dam bursts!

This gem is truly a neglected classic and deserves to be restored and released on DVD, so that we may all enjoy the cyclone of energy that was Douglas Fairbanks. 10 out of 10.