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The Universal Boy
(1914) United States of America
B&W : One reel
Directed by [?] Frank Crane (Frank Hall Crane)?
Cast: Matty Roubert [Little Matty], Lincoln Beachey [himself], Oscar Hammerstein [himself], Barney Oldfield [himself], President Theodore Roosevelt [himself]
Independent Moving Pictures Company, Incorporated [IMP] production; distributed by The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated. / Released 30 July 1914. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / The second film in “The Universal Boy” series.
Comedy.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Matty’s parents are suddenly called to Europe. Matty is left in New York in charge of his aunt. Shortly after bidding his parents goodbye, Matty calls his aunt’s attention to a newspaper headline which reads: “Race Between Automobile and Aeroplane at Brighton Beach. Beachy vs. Oldfield.” Well, of course, Matt induces his aunt to take him to the aviation field, and of course Matty met Barney Oldfield, the famous “Speed King,” who instructed him in the matter of handling a racer. Then Matty crossed the field and was introduced to Lincoln Beachy, the aviator, and asks him about the race. Next we have Matty up at Oyster Bay, where his adventure-loving spirit has drawn him to meet Col. Roosevelt. There is a big crowd on hand. Matty breaks away from his aunt, as the Colonel appears and climbs onto the running board where the Colonel greets him and in an outburst of enthusiasm invites the little fellow into his car. Mr. Roosevelt then introduces our hero to the Mayor of Oyster Bay and later, during the speech of welcome on the part of the Mayor to the ex-President, Matty, in his great delight, leads the cheering of the excited populace. After the reception, Matty and his aunt return home. On the day following this we find Matty downtown in New York City standing before Hammerstein’s Victoria theater at 42d Street and Broadway. He earnestly scans the week’s bill and then is struck with the idea of going into vaudeville himself. With this in mind he presents himself to Oscar Hammerstein, the famous impresario, and he tells Matty to be back for the matinee and he will give him a “try-out.” Matty returns to the theater and gives impersonations of well-known vaudeville and screen favorites, such as Harry Lauder, Ford Sterling, and King Baggot, and he concludes with an impersonation of Miss Gertrude Hoffmann in her celebrated Salome dance. During this dance, his aunt enters the theater and Matty’s career as a vaudeville artist comes to an end.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 4 January 2025.
References: Website-IMDb.
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