Buster Brown series / Thomas A. Edison, Inc. ; producer, Edwin S. Porter.

SUMMARY
From Edison films catalog: Scene I [Part 5] -- The opening scene shows Bridget asleep at the kitchen-table, and Buster enters on tip-toe. After tying her apron over her head and to the back of the chair, he tries to reach a jar of jam on the top shelf of the pantry. After several futile attempts, he gives up. His attention is now attracted by a tramp at the window. Buster beckons the fellow to come in through the window, and asks "Weary Willie" to get jam for him. The tramp secures the jam, he places the jar on the table, and proceeds to enjoy the sweets, but neglects to give Buster his share. Whereupon Buster angrily gets up from the table, shakes his finger threateningly at the tramp and goes out, but almost immediately comes back with his mamma and his dog Tige. Buster's mamma is greatly shocked at the sight, while Buster now sets Tige on the tramp, and in the melee Bridget wakes up, and falls over backwards, chair and all. Buster's mamma releases Bridget from her predicament, and the tramp, with Tige holding on to his coat- tails, makes a hasty retreat through the window. Bridget succeeds in getting hold of her broom and helps him a little. Buster is rewarded by his mamma for getting rid of the tramp, and is given permission to eat all the jam he wants.

Scene II [Part 3] -- Shows a millinery store in the shopping district, and Mrs. Brown with a lady friend, admiring the hats displayed in the window. Buster and Tige are standing in the foreground. A howling swell, leading a small dog bedecked with ribbons, recognizes Mrs. Brown and stops to chat. Buster becomes impatient, tugs at his mamma's dress, and endeavors to hurry her; but the dude waves him aside. Buster gets angry at this and retaliates by setting Tige on the dude's dog. Tige secures a good hold on the dog's neck and mauls it all over the street. During the battle the dude makes frantic efforts to rescue his dog by kicking Tige. Mrs. Brown comes to the rescue by beating the dude over his head with her umbrella and knocking his hat off. Tige sees the hat, releases his hold, and the two dogs tear the hat into ribbons.

Scene III [Part 4] -- Shows a bargain counter in a department store and a large gathering of women examining goods. It is a special sale, and a great deal of interest is shown by the ladies, who jostle and crowd each other to secure the choicest bargains. Mrs. Brown enters, accompanied by Buster and Tige. Mrs. Brown is unable to get near the counter and is in despair. Buster sees his mamma's predicament, whispers in Tige's ear to "take a fit," which he does by throwing somersaults high in the air, and running wildly about as though mad. The dog's actions frighten the shoppers and they scatter in all directions. After the stampede Mrs. Brown proceeds to make her purchases, while Tige seats himself on a stool, and Buster looks on very innocently.

Scene IV [Part 1] -- Shows a kitchen and Bridget busy making crullers. Buster enters and begs Bridget to give him one. Bridget refuses and places all the crullers in a basket on the top pantry shelf. She warns Buster not to touch them, and leaves the room. Buster secures a stepladder and proceeds to climb to the top. As he is about to secure the coveted prize his mamma enters, chastises him severely, and ties Buster fast to the table, and leaves the room. Buster calls Tige to his assistance, explains the situation, and points to the top shelf of the closet. Tige mounts the ladder, secures the basket and places it on the table at Buster's elbow. The scene closes with Buster and Tige dividing the spoils.

Scene V [Part 2] -- Shows an Italian balloon vender near the "Flat-iron" Building, New York City. Mrs. Brown and Buster appear on the scene. Buster begins teasing his mamma to buy him a balloon, but she refuses. Buster whistles for Tige, and at the same time jostles the vender, who roughly brushes him aside. Seeing a chance to get a balloon for nothing, Buster sets Tige upon the Italian, and points toward the balloons. The vender, in his efforts to get away from the dog, loses his hold on the balloons and they scatter in every direction. Several stray dogs join Tige in rushing upon the balloons, and in their efforts to get hold of them they butt them about in the air in all directions. Scene VI -- Shows Mr. R. T. Outcault [sic], the artist, making a quick charcoal sketch of Buster Brown and his dog Tige. 710 Ft. 106.50.

NOTES
Copyright: Thomas A. Edison; 9Mar1904; H43074.

Duration: 2:20 (part 1), 1:19 (part 2), 1:26 (part 3), 1:37 (part 4), and 1:43 (part 5) at 16 fps.

LC prints do not contain Scene VI as described above.

Based on the comic strip Buster Brown, by Richard F. Outcault.

Sources used: Copyright catalog, motion pictures, 1894-1912; Musser, C. Before the nickelodeon, 1991, p. 267-72; Niver, K.R. Early motion pictures, 1985; Edison films catalog, no. 288, July 1906, p. 29-30 [MI].

MEDIUM
ref print. 1 reel of 1 (ca. 710 ft.) : si., b&w ; 35 mm.
paper pos. 1 roll of 1 (ca. 710 ft.) : si., b&w ; 35 mm.

CALL NUMBER
FEB 9720 (ref print)
LC 2298 (paper pos)

REPOSITORY
Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Washington, D. C. 20540 USA

DIGITAL ID
edmp 2298a 2298b 2298c 2298d 2298e http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.mbrsmi/edmp.2298

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