Four Wise Men - Cast

Four Wise Men (1909)
Short | Short, Comedy

Four Wise Men (1909)

Short | Short, Comedy

The opening scene of this picture takes place In a village in the South, Four elderly men, Judge Crow, Henry Wicks, Seth Baker and Silas Green, are seated out in front of the town's leading hostelry, the Commercial Hotel, discussing the ...See moreThe opening scene of this picture takes place In a village in the South, Four elderly men, Judge Crow, Henry Wicks, Seth Baker and Silas Green, are seated out in front of the town's leading hostelry, the Commercial Hotel, discussing the coming event of the season - the great Mardi Gras celebration at New Orleans. Old "Hen" Wicks, the village oracle, and social leader of the Married People's Whist Club, conceives a plan whereby he and his three cronies might get away from their wives for a few days and spend the carnival season enjoying the sights and pleasures of the big, gay city of the South. But how to accomplish this difficult problem? Old Judge Crow, who hasn't been away from Dobbinsville since the spring of '73, says as how his wife would think him "plum crazy" should he even suggest such a thing. Means and ways are discussed and debated, but without any practical solution of the matter until the fertile brain of "Hen" Wicks suddenly conceives a plan which is eagerly grasped and decided upon without further parley by all four of the old rascals. A telegram will be sent to each one, purporting to come from some relative and calling him to the bedside of a dying cousin, niece, brother or sister living some distance from Dobbinsville. Their bags will be instantly packed by their sympathetic wives, and they will all meet early the next morning at the depot to take the train for New Orleans. The plan is carried out to the letter. Old "Hen" himself writes the telegrams, and taking the telegraphic operator of the town into his confidence, has the messages delivered by a boy to each of the four old tricksters, including himself. Of course their wives are all tears and sympathy over the great bereavement that has come to their lords, and send them forth with many tender solicitations for their comfort and safety. Then an event happens which was not foreseen by the four wise men. Mrs. Judge Crow, after finishing up her housework, runs over to Mrs. Wicks to tell her the news of the judge's departure to the bedside of his dying cousin. With her she takes the telegram bearing the sad news. Imagine the surprise of that estimable lady when she finds Mrs. Wicks in tears over the sudden departure of her dear "Hennedy" on a like mission. "There's somethin' wrong, Mrs. Crow," cries Mrs. Wicks. "Them two men are up to no good." Before Mrs. Crow can reply, into the room bursts Mrs. Green, bearing the telegram that called her Silas suddenly away. "What in all creation does it mean," screams the now thoroughly aroused Mrs. Wicks. Just then, in pops Mrs. Baker to tell the others of the "terrible news" that took her Seth on the first train to Chicago this morning. She, too, is shown the other telegrams; notes are compared and a meeting is then and there held to discuss ways and means of dealing with their recreant husbands upon their return. But what of the four jolly truants? Arriving in the city they immediately set out to enjoy all the wonderful sights of the great carnival. Thousands of maskers in gay costumes are mingling with the vast crowds that throng the principal thoroughfares of the city. All is gaiety, mirth and laughter. The carnival spirit is everywhere and is not long in fastening itself on the bewildered old fellows from Dobbinsville. Gradually they begin to loosen up and join in with the rest of the jolly crowd, until "Hen" Wicks declares, "By gracious, I ain't had more fun since my mother-in-law's funeral." "Look out, here comes Rex," shouts a gay reveler, and instantly the crowds begin to rush for vantage points to view the gorgeous and wonderful pageant of the great Carnival King. Making their way to a balcony containing tiers of benches erected for spectators, the four old scamps are soon seated and drinking in the wonderful sights rolling past in regal splendor on the streets below. Seated directly behind them are four young ladies in fancy costumes and masked. So jay-looking are the four citizens of Dobbinsville, that one of the girls suggests that a little flirtation with our bucolic friends might be the means of loads of fun. Up to any lark, the others readily agree, and so deft are the girls in the art of flirting that they soon strike up a jolly acquaintance with the four old codgers. After the parade has passed, "Hen" says as how he is hungry. That cue is sufficient for the girls, and they soon steer the four citizens of Dobbinsville to an expensive restaurant, where a fine dinner is ordered regardless of expense (said expense not to exceed seventy-five cents apiece). Imagine the consternation into which our four staid friends are thrown when, after a too liberal supply of "cider" and an accidental breakage of a great deal of china, caused by the effervescent and care-free Wicks, who insists on dancing a "Turkey" reel on the table, the irate proprietor of the restaurant appears on the scene and demands their immediate departure, at the same time presenting a bill of $125. The girls, in the meantime, seeing the possibility of serious trouble, beat a hasty retreat, leaving the foolish old fellows to settle as best they can. Recovering from the shock occasioned by the sight of the enormous bill, they all begin to dig for their wallets, when, horror upon horror, they discover that pickpockets have relieved them of every cent they had. Thinking it a trick, the excitable proprietor orders their immediate arrest, and the four sad, but wiser, men of Dobbinsville, are led away to jail. We next see them huddled together in a cell in the city prison. The restaurant proprietor has offered to withdraw the charge against them if they will settle his bill. Again the resourceful Wicks is called upon to lead them out of the difficulty. Calling a. guard, he procures pencil and paper and writes the following telegram, with instructions to send at once to his wife (collect) : "Mrs. Henry Wicks, Dobbinsville: - Cousin Jane worse. Operation absolutely necessary; must have more money for doctors. Send $200 at once, care Courthouse. Henry Wicks." The telegram soon reaches its destination. Immediately Mrs. Wicks' mind is made up. She hastens to her neighbors and apprises them of the dispatch from her errant lord. Their best clothes are donned, and provided with the necessary money, the four wiser wives of the four wise men, set out for New Orleans to personally investigate the necessity of an operation on Cousin Jane. How they trace their husbands to the jail, and after satisfying the claims of the restaurant proprietor drag their thoroughly subdued and repentant spouses back to Dobbinsville, is all shown. Also the next day. in front of the Commercial Hotel, where the four wise men of Dobbinsville meet and swear never again to stray from the safety of their own fireside. Written by The Film Index - March 27, 1909 See less

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