Cupid's Rival

Cupid's Rival
Cupid's Rival
	Full film
Directed by	Billy West
Produced by	Louis Burstein
Starring	Billy West; Oliver Hardy
Cinematography	Herman Obrock Jr.
Edited by	Ben H. Cohen
Release date	July 1, 1917;
Country	United States
Language	Silent (English intertitles)

Cupid's Rival is a 1917 American silent comedy film featuring Oliver Hardy.

Plot

As described in a film magazine review,^[1] Billy works as the janitor of a studio apartment, and has been ordered by Hyfligher, a rich artist, to bring his breakfast to him. Residing in an adjacent studio is Daub, a poor artist, who has painted a picture of Dough for the landlord in lieu of rent. Doub sees his sweetheart Ethel entering the studio of Hyfligher. He is enraged, and bursts into the room to find Ethel stroking the head of the rich artist. Daub seizes a painting of Ethel and smashes Hyfligher on the head with it. Hyfligher is distracted as the day for the exhibition is coming near. Meanwhile, Mike the elevator operator is chasing a mouse through the building, and the chase leads into Doub's studio where the mouse climbs up the side of the painting of Dough. Mike swings a club at the mouse and misses, tearing the portrait. Mike is horrified, and Doub is heart broken when he returns. Mike comes up with the idea of dressing up as the landlord and sitting in the frame. At the exhibition the people are delighted with the paintings and think they are real. Billy finds out about the ruse and when he sees his enemy Mike sitting in a frame, he arms himself with a club and the chase begins. The guests finally catch up with Billy and mete out a just punishment.

Cast

Billy West as Billy
Oliver Hardy as (as Babe Hardy)
Ethel Marie Burton (as Ethel Burton)
Leo White
Bud Ross
Joe Cohen
Ethelyn Gibson as A Model (as Ethlyn Gibson)
Florence McLaughlin

Preservation status

Copies of the film exist in several private collections,^[2] and it has been released on DVD as part of a collection of comedy short films.^[3]

References

^ "Reviews: Valeska Suratt in Cupid's Rival". Exhibitors Herald. 5 (2). New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company: 27. July 7, 1917. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
^ Progressive Silent Film List: Cupid's Rival at silentera.com
^ American Slapstick (1914-1929) (collection of comedy short films).

External links

Cupid's Rival at IMDb
Cupid's Rival, Lord Heath website with stills

[1] "Reviews: Valeska Suratt in Cupid's Rival". Exhibitors Herald. 5 (2). New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company: 27. July 7, 1917. Retrieved November 6, 2014.

[2] Progressive Silent Film List: Cupid's Rival at silentera.com

[3] American Slapstick (1914-1929) (collection of comedy short films).

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