Slippy McGee
Encyclopedia
Slippy McGee is a 1923 silent film
, directed by Wesley Ruggles and based on the book Slippy McGee: Sometimes Known as the Butterfly Man by Marie Conway Oemler, published in 1917. The film was an Oliver Morosco
Production released by Associated First National, and featured actress Colleen Moore
as Mary Virginia. Production on the film began in June 1921 with Colleen's return from New York and Florida, where she was making The Lotus Eater with John Barrymore
, directed by Marshall Neilan. Upon her return to Los Angeles, she left again after a few weeks for location work at Natchez, Mississippi
, which filled in for the fictional town of Appleborro. Colleen was taken with the town, and spoke well of the hospitality she and the Slippy McGee troupe were treated to. It was not the first film production the town had hosted. The film would not be released until two year later, in 1923.
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
, directed by Wesley Ruggles and based on the book Slippy McGee: Sometimes Known as the Butterfly Man by Marie Conway Oemler, published in 1917. The film was an Oliver Morosco
Oliver Morosco
Oliver Morosco was an American theatrical producer, director, writerand theater owner.-Biography:Born Oliver Mitchell in Logan, Utah, Morosco was raised in San Francisco, California...
Production released by Associated First National, and featured actress Colleen Moore
Colleen Moore
Colleen Moore was an American film actress, and one of the most fashionable stars of the silent film era.-Early life:...
as Mary Virginia. Production on the film began in June 1921 with Colleen's return from New York and Florida, where she was making The Lotus Eater with John Barrymore
John Barrymore
John Sidney Blyth , better known as John Barrymore, was an acclaimed American actor. He first gained fame as a handsome stage actor in light comedy, then high drama and culminating in groundbreaking portrayals in Shakespearean plays Hamlet and Richard III...
, directed by Marshall Neilan. Upon her return to Los Angeles, she left again after a few weeks for location work at Natchez, Mississippi
Natchez, Mississippi
Natchez is the county seat of Adams County, Mississippi, United States. With a total population of 18,464 , it is the largest community and the only incorporated municipality within Adams County...
, which filled in for the fictional town of Appleborro. Colleen was taken with the town, and spoke well of the hospitality she and the Slippy McGee troupe were treated to. It was not the first film production the town had hosted. The film would not be released until two year later, in 1923.
Cast
- Colleen MooreColleen MooreColleen Moore was an American film actress, and one of the most fashionable stars of the silent film era.-Early life:...
– Mary Virginia - Wheeler OakmanWheeler OakmanWheeler Oakman was an American film actor.Usually appearing as a henchman in films, rarely a leading role, he appeared in over 280 films between 1912 and 1948....
– Slippy McGee - Sam De GrasseSam De GrasseSamuel Alfred De Grasse was a Canadian actor. Born in Bathurst, New Brunswick, he trained to be a dentist....
– Father De Rance - Edmund Stevens – George Inglesby
- Edith YorkeEdith YorkeEdith Yorke was an English actress of the silent era. She appeared in 65 films between 1919 and 1933.She was born in Derby, England under the name Edith Murgatroyd,and the family later moved to Croydon near London but Edith left a more comfortable life behind to return to Derby, where she taught...
– Madame De Rance - Lloyd WhitlockLloyd WhitlockLloyd Whitlock was an American actor. He appeared in 199 films between 1916 and 1949.-Selected filmography:* The Thrill Chaser * The Woman of Bronze...
– Howard Hunter - Pat O'MalleyPat O'MalleyPatrick O'Malley or Pat O'Malley may refer to:*Patrick H. O'Malley, Jr. , American actor*J. Pat O'Malley , English singer and actor*Patrick O'Malley , former Illinois State Senator...
– Lawrence Mayne
Story
The title is also the moniker of a renown safecracker, Slippy McGee, who has always managed to evade capture until his latest job, when he is wounded. He escapes aboard a freight train, bound for parts unknown, and finds himself in the town of Appleborro. There, his is discovered and cared for by Father De Rance and Mary Virginia. His leg is amputated, and during his recovery in the town of Appleborro, the town's influence causes him to reform. He becomes interested in the local butterflies. De Rance's hobby, and becomes so knowledgeable in them that he becomes a published expert. Slippy has fallen in love with Mary Virginia, but she plans to marry Lawrence Mayne. However George Inglesby determines that he wants Mary Virginia for himself, and decides to blackmail Mary Virginia into marrying him using incriminating letters he has in hip possession. Wishing Mary to be happy, Slippy resorts to his old ways, breaking into the safe where the letters are kept and thus freeing Mary Virginia of the power George has over her.Footnotes
- Natchez Democrat, July 12, 1921, page 4.
- “Natchez Is on the Map,” by Grace Kingsley, Los Angeles Times, August 14, 1921, page III1 and page III16.