Jack Straw (1920 film)


Jack Straw is a 1920 American silent comedy film produced by Famous Players-Lasky and distributed by Paramount Pictures. William C. deMille directed the film and Robert Warwick and Carroll McComas star. The film is based on a 1908 stage play by W. Somerset Maugham starring John Drew and a young Mary Boland. Winston Churchill made a cameo appearance in the original film. In 1926 Paramount attempted a remake of this film called The Waiter from the Ritz which was begun and/or completed but never released. James Cruze directed and Raymond Griffith starred; this film, if completed, is now lost. The 1920 film survives at the Library of Congress.

Plot

Based upon a review of the plot in a film publication, Jack Straw is an iceman who becomes a waiter to be closer to the girl he is interested in. Later, to impress her, he impersonates an Archduke from Pomerania. A Count from Pomerania who is the ambassador arrives and learns of the long-missing son of royalty. The girl's mother learns of the trick being played by Jack. Just when Jack is exposed as being a fraud, it turns out that he is the genuine article. The girl's mother then gladly announces her daughter's engagement to Jack.

Cast

unbilled