Series: Charley Chase Director: James Parrott Producer: Hal Roach Titles: H.M. Walker Photography: Editor: Stars: Charley Chase, Blanche Mehaffey, Eddie Baker, Leo Willis Company: Pathé Exchange Released: 10 February 1924 Length: 1 reel Production No.: D-36 Filming dates: October 15-17, 1923 Rating: 5/10

Powder And Smoke!

Available on DVD:

Jimmy Jump (Charley Chase) is a traveling salesman selling collapsible lightning rods who stumbles upon a robbery-in-progress when he tries to make his sales pitch to a shack in the desert. One of the hostages (Blanche Mehaffey) hands Jimmy some money she has on her, and tells him to leave with it in order to keep it safe. Of course, Jimmy thinks he has made a sale and drives off, grateful. Blanche then telephones the sheriff (Jack Gavin) to advise him and to stop Jimmy and get the money back. The bandits get on their horses and go after Jimmy in pursuit of the money. The sheriff stops Jimmy and takes the money from him and the bandits flee back to the hold-up house. After the sheriff hands the money back to the woman, she returns to the house - only to find the bandits waiting for her. Jimmy also returns and becomes embroiled in the robbery and is handed the money for safekeeping (again). However, the gang leader (Leo Willis) discovers this and orders his death by firing squad (a bit extreme, don't you think?) This plan backfires when the gang shoot at their leader by mistake. Jimmy fakes his own death and the sheriff arrives to capture the bad guys but the leader is one step ahead and rides off with the money. Suddenly, a seemingly-dead Jimmy rises from the ground and shoots the thief off his horse. The money is retrieved and a satisfied Jimmy dumps his suitcase and its contents in a well. Blanche falls in love with her hero and welcomes him with open arms. Jimmy seizes the opportunity but falls arse-over-head on the ground.

Trivia • Copyrighted January 9, 1924. • The film appears to be originally production C-133. • The 16mm print which was used for inclusion on the "Becoming Charley Chase" DVD was supplied by Dave Stevenson from his personal collection. • There are 18 intertitle cards during the film (they are all shown below). • The suitcase that Charley Chase carries has "COLLAPSIBLE LIGHTNING ROD COMPANY, Battle Creek, Michigan, USA" written on it. • Charley Chase is without his trademark moustache. • There are six bandits. Through some great teamwork with my dedicated friends Steve, Lou and Brent, we have been able to identify four of them. My opinion • Bland.

	Charley Chase Jimmy Jump
	Blanche Mehaffey Daughter
	Eddie Baker Realtor
	Leo Willis Bandit
	Jack Gavin Sheriff
	Jack Hill Bandit
	Sam Lufkin Bandit
	Joe Bordeaux Bandit
	Chet Brandenburg Deputy
	Ed Brandenburg Rancher
	Lyle Tayo Blanche's mother

UNIDENTIFIED CAST

CREDITS (click image to enlarge)	INTERTITLES (click image to enlarge)

Acknowledgements: Smile When The Raindrops Fall by Brian Anthony & Andy Edmonds (book) David Kalat (information on DVD commentary) Brent Walker, Lou Sabini, Steve Rydzewski (help with identification of the bandits) Jesse Brisson (identification of Lyle Tayo and the Brandenburg brothers) This page was last updated on: 20 May 2021