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?

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Plot Keywords:

superstition | nightmare | psychiatrist | embarrassment | rival business | 

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Romance

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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.

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Crazy Credits

Louis Weadon's name is handwritten.

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Connections

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

User Reviews

Douglas Fairbanks Jumps the Cloud

As our story opens, otherwise normal New York gadabout Douglas Fairbanks (as Daniel Boone Brown) has been unknowingly the "guinea pig" in a bizarre experiment. For three months, Mr. Fairbanks has been secretly the subject of possibly mad scientist Herbert Grimwood (as Ulrich Metz). "The power of suggestion can destroy both mind and body," Dr. Metz explains, "But first I weaken the power of resistance in my subject by implanting psychic germs of fear, worry, superstition and kindred annoyances." Fairbanks has become superstitious and frantic, but maintains his good nature...

"When the Clouds Roll By" was a United Artists showcase for its box office star. The plot collapses as episodes lead to a revelation that doesn't exactly fit the (doctor's) introduction; we have been led astray. However, it doesn't matter if you take the story as a surreal fantasy from the opening credits. Also involved are Fairbanks' courtship of conveniently placed Kathleen Clifford (as Lucette "Lucy" Bancroft), plus business intrigue involving his uncle Ralph Lewis (as Curtis Brown) and oily rival Frank Campeau (as Mark Drake). Somehow, Fairbanks and Victor Fleming fit it all together.

******** When the Clouds Roll By (12/28/19) Victor Fleming ~ Douglas Fairbanks, Kathleen Clifford, Frank Campeau, Herbert Grimwood