The Nickel Snatcher

"The Nickel Snatcher" stars Hank Mann and Vernon Dent. I cannot recall having ever seen Hank Mann in a movie and had never heard of him before this film. As for Dent, he went on to have a long career in films--particularly playing supporting characters in shorts from Columbia Pictures. The film was directed by Charles Parrott...who was known as Charley Chase, the comedian. During his career, he often directed films for Hal Roach Studios.

The story begins with no credits whatsoever. I assume they were lost to the ravages of time. Otherwise, the film appears to be complete. The setting is a horse-drawn trolley and Mann and Dent are the driver/conductor. However, when they stop at the beach to let a group of bathing beauties off, both seem to forget they ARE supposed to be working. Mann goes to the beach with the ladies and Dent calls together his gang so they can rob a rich man! Can Mann manage to fend off the robbers when he sees them or will he just step aside and let them do their dirty work?

This is a generally pleasant film. That being said, there are NOT a ton of laughs in this one and it could have used some more. The biggest laugh consist of some fat lady scenes...which, with today's sensibilities, would seem pretty cruel.

One reel of this Hank Mann comedy has turned up. It was one of the unlabeled films that turned up at the Library of Congress, shown at one of their occasional Mostly Lost showings and identified by the members of the Silent Comedy Mafia who lurk at such events. If you like, you can see it on the FOUND AT MOSTLY LOST DVD from Undercrank Productions.

It's easily followed, despite missing half of its length. Hank Mann is the conductor of a horse-drawn trolley that carries a motley assortment of passengers to the beach at Venice in California, where the plot becomes involved with a bank robbery. Mann pulls off his gags with his usual air of mild befuddlement consistent with his soupbowl haircut and walrus mustache. He was a highly skilled comedian who worked well in ensemble, but whose dumb bell character never sustained a leading career.

Still, it's a well-made short comedy from director Charley Chase, who can be spotted as a member of the gang of robbers. It definitely is worth your time to give this one a look.