The Patent Leather Kid
The Patent Leather Kid is a 1927 American silent drama film which tells the story of a boxer who scoffs at fighting outside the ring... particularly for the United States once it enters World War I. Eventually, he is drafted, is shipped overseas, and performs a heroic act, which results in his being severely wounded. It stars Richard Barthelmess, Molly O'Day, Lawford Davidson, Matthew Betz, and Arthur Stone.
| The Patent Leather Kid | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Alfred Santell |
| Written by | Rupert Hughes (story) Winifred Dunn (scenario) |
| Produced by | Alfred Santell Richard A. Rowland |
| Starring | Richard Barthelmess |
| Cinematography | Arthur Edeson Ralph Hammeras Alvin Knechtel |
| Music by | Cecil Copping (at opening) |
| Distributed by | First National Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | ?130-154 minutes(per IMDb) / 12 reels |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
| Box office | $1.2 million[1] |
The movie was adapted by Gerald C. Duffy (titles), Winifred Dunn, Casey Robinson (uncredited), and Adela Rogers St. Johns from the story by Rupert Hughes. It was directed by Alfred Santell.[2]
It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor (Richard Barthelmess).
A copy is held by The Library of Congress[3][4] and a 16mm print is in the Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research.[5]
Cast
- Richard Barthelmess as The Patent Leather Kid
- Molly O'Day as Curley Boyle
- Lawford Davidson as Lt. Hugo Breen
- Matthew Betz as Jake Stuke
- Arthur Stone as Jimmy Kinch
- Ray Turner as Mabile Molasses
- Hank Mann as Sergeant
- Walter James as Officer Riley
- Lucien Prival as The German Officer
- Nigel De Brulier as The French Doctor
- Fred O'Beck as Tank Crew
- Clifford Salam as Tank Crew
- Henry Murdock as Tank Crew
- Charles Sullivan as Tank Crew
- John Kolb as Tank Crew
- Al Alleborn as Tank Crew
- Billy Bletcher as Fight Fan (uncredited)
- Charles Darvas (uncredited)
- Fred Kelsey as Fight Fan (uncredited)
- Harold Lockwood, Jr. (uncredited)
- Lafe McKee as Fight Spectator (uncredited)
References
- Quigley Publishing Company "The All Time Best Sellers", International Motion Picture Almanac 1937-38 (1938), p. 942, accessed April 19, 2014
- "Progressive Silent Film List: The Patent Leather Kid". Silent Era. Retrieved April 12, 2008.
- The Library of Congress American Silent Feature Films Survival Catalog: The Patent Leather Kid
- The American Film Institute Catalog Feature Films: 1921-30 by The American Film Institute, c.1971
- Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research, Feature Film Database: The Patent Leather Kid
