The Count of Ten is a 1928 American silent sports drama film directed by James Flood and starring Charles Ray, James Gleason, and Jobyna Ralston.[1][2]
| The Count of Ten | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | James Flood |
| Written by | |
| Based on | "Betty’s a Lady" by Gerald Beaumont |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | |
| Edited by | George McGuire |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 60 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
Plot edit
As described in a film magazine,[3] Johnny McKinney is a rising, young prize-fighter whose aim is to become the middle-weight championship of the world. Jimmie, his manager, takes him to Chicago to arrange a championship fight when Johnny falls in love with Betty, a glove clerk in a department store and marries her. Her father and brother move in with them and live off the money which Johnny earns. Betty, with more money than she has ever had as a clerk, spends it lavishly and soon gets her husband into debt. In a charity bout, Johnny breaks a bone in his hand and has to lay off fighting. At the same time, Betty’s brother asks her for $7,000 to cover a gambling debt. Betty refuses and, when Johnny finds her in tears, he is told by the brother that she is expecting a little stranger and needs the money for hospital bills. Johnny rushes to Jimmie asking to borrow $7,000 but refuses to say what it is for. The manager refuses him, saying he will not be made a leech of by Betty’s family. The fighter breaks with him and challenges the champion in order to get the money. Arthur, the brother, manages him. Johnny loses the fight as he is unable to use his right hand and Jimmie, sitting in the audience, cannot watch Johnny's punishment or the mistakes of Arthur who is in Johnny’s corner. He throws in a towel as an admission of defeat. The fighter, broken physically and mentally, will not see his wife as he realizes that her family have brought him to his present position. Jimmie, who has been most bitter against them, brings about a reconciliation between the fighter and his wife, and the brother and father are ordered from the house.
Cast edit
- Charles Ray as Johnny McKinney
- James Gleason as Jimmie, Johnny's Manager
- Jobyna Ralston as Betty McKinney
- Edythe Chapman as Mother McKinney
- Arthur Lake as Betty's Brother
- Charles Sellon as Betty's Father
- George Magrill as Cleaver
- Jackie Combs as Baby McKinney
Preservation edit
With no prints of The Count of Ten located in any film archives,[4] it is a lost film.
References edit
- ^ Goble p. 687
- ^ Progressive Silent Film List: The Count of Ten at silentera.com
- ^ "Universal Synopses: The Count of Ten". Universal Weekly. 27 (18). New York City: Motion Picture Weekly Publishing Company: 30. June 9, 1928. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Library of Congress / FIAF American Silent Feature Film Survival Database: The Count of Ten
Bibliography edit
- Goble, Alan. The Complete Index to Literary Sources in Film. Walter de Gruyter, 1999.
External links edit
 | This article about a sports-related film is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This article about a silent drama film from the 1920s is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |