Man-Afraid-of-His-Wardrobe

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James Montague, producer for the Titan Motion Picture Company, receives word from head office that they are sending out A. Lester Hale under contract for ten thousand dollars for ten pictures, to take western leads, and is instructed to prepare for his arrival. A week later A. Lester arrives and is accompanied by a valet and a dozen large trunks. He is allotted a dressing room, but objects to the size of it, refusing to accept any other than the star's dressing room. Miss Manners, after a stormy interview with Montague, vacates her dressing room, stating that A. Lester Hale may be an actor, but if Montague casts him for a gentleman, he would have to do some rehearsing. Buck Parvin, extra man by force of circumstances, is filled with awe when Hale turns up in his cowboy outfit and is even more fascinated by his saddle. Work commences on the first picture and Hale proves an utter failure. He refuses to ride through the brush for fear of scratching his saddle; he refuses to ride through the water for fear of getting wet, and commits the greatest of all crimes, of crossing in front of the camera during a scene. The first picture is completed and Montague waits with anxiety the report on the negative from head office. The report arrives, a curt telegram to the effect that A. Lester Hale is a scream on the screen, but that his contract is no joke, and it is up to Montague to fix it. Montague has an idea and with the aid of Buck Parvin arranges a little entertainment for Hale. That night while Montague writes a new scenario, Buck Parvin is mysteriously occupied with some revolver shells, a wax candle, and package of tacks. The new picture is started. The first scene being located on the banks of the river, Montague explains to Hale that he, as leading man, must ride into the river and swim to the rescue of Miss Manners, who has been captured by the Indians and is a prisoner on the opposite bank. A. Lester Hale at first refuses, but at last consents to make the ride. Buck Parvin disappears and hides behind an adjacent tree. Hale's valet prepares with dry underclothes and a towel for Hale's ride from the river. The scene commences. Hale rides into the river, but when he finds his horse is swimming, gets frightened, and in his alarm falls off the horse into the water, where he clings desperately to the horse's neck. Buck Parvin takes a careful aim and shoots. With a wild scream of alarm, Hale lets go of the horse and disappears under the water, much to the amazement of the rest of the company, until Montague, realizing that he is on the point of drowning, rushes in and rescues him. Hale is revived, only to be told by Montague that the scene was a failure and that they must have a retake. Hale, driven to desperation, flatly refuses, and announces he will break his contract. Buck Parvin, who has always longed for the beaver hat belonging to Hale, swims the river to rescue it and hides it in his shirt. Montague, who has been mystified over the shot fired by Buck, which was to have been a waxed wad, and has discovered the wad with a tack attached sticking to Hale's anatomy, accuses Buck of going outside of their bargain. Buck pretends innocence, and to hide his guilty feelings, produces the hat and tells Montague that he found it. Hale boards the train, swearing that he will never be induced to again work in pictures.