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Indian Bitters; or, The Patent Medicine Man
(1908) United States of America
B&W : Split-reel / 405 feet
Directed by (unknown)
Cast: (unknown)
The Vitagraph Company of America production; distributed by The Vitagraph Company of America. / © 26 March 1908 by The Vitagraph Company of America [H107927]. Released [?] 28 April or 2 May? 1908. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Comedy.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? A party of young people, among them an American and an Englishman, are talking over a masquerade party soon to take place. A maid enters with the costumes, which they examine with delight. An Indian dress and blanket falls to the lot of the Englishman. He rather objects at first, but his sweetheart persuades him and he at last consents to don the strange costume. His Yankee companion instructs him how to do an Indian war dance and prevails upon him to remove his mustache, then all leave the room to dress. On the street, and near the scene above referred to, a patent medicine man is selling “Indian Enters” with a genuine Indian standing on a platform to advertise his goods. While lecturing on the merits of his goods the Doctor notices his Indian sleeping, gives him a whack with a club and at various other times repeats the dose. The crowd around protests, but the physician keeps it up until finally the “brave” beats a quick retreat, his employer in close pursuit. Returning to the masqueraders, we see them putting on the finishing touches; the Indian’s face is painted or dyed until he looks the real character. In the meanwhile, outside, the genuine Indian rushes up and into the house where the masquerade warrior is doing a war-dance, and hides himself behind a screen just as his employer, the Doctor, rushes in. The medicine man looks at the dancer, is enraged, gives him a good, swift kick and, despite his protests, picks the Englishman up and carries him out bodily (mistaking him for his own Indian). After their departure the real Indian steps from his hiding place, partakes of eatables and drink. The young people who have prepared for the party come in and believe the real Indian to be their companion in disguise. The girls hug and kiss him and he is having the time of his life. His double, at the time, is being subjected to all manner of abuse at the hands of the traveling Doctor. The poor Englishman bides his time, and, an opportunity presenting itself, he breaks away on a run for home. At the house the real Indian has made love to the maid, and is discovered by the sweetheart of his impersonator, and taken to task for his shameful conduct. He makes a break as the Englishman comes in in a terrible rage. The Doctor soon follows, and a general scramble takes place. The real Indian scalps his fellow brave, and after the excitement has subsided the Doctor drags his advertising medium off while the poor Englishman is surrounded and comforted by his sympathizing friends.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 31 December 2024.
References: Slide-BigV p. 179 : Website-AFI; Website-IMDb.
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