He Comes Up Smiling (1918) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A bank clerk's pursuit of an escaped canary leads through comic reversals to a broker impersonation, a foiled market plot, and romantic good fortune.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Canary Chase

Jerry's routine as a bank clerk centers on caring for the president's canary. When the bird escapes, Jerry follows it far afield and decides to leave his job.

Key Events

• Jerry Cares for the Canary — Jerry's principal duty as a bank clerk is caring for the bank president's canary. Characters: Jerry Martin Location: Bank
• The Canary Escapes — The bird escapes, and Jerry sets off in pursuit. Characters: Jerry Martin Location: Bank
• A Chase Far Afield — Jerry's pursuit takes him far from his usual bank routine. Characters: Jerry Martin Location: Unspecified places along the chase
• Jerry Meets a Hobo — During the chase, Jerry meets a hobo and decides to give up his bank job. Characters: Jerry Martin Location: Unspecified

A Valet's Betrayal

Jerry encounters Baron Bean, who becomes his valet. While Jerry is bathing, Baron Bean and another hobo abandon him and steal his clothes.

Key Events

• Jerry Meets a Hobo — During the chase, Jerry meets a hobo and decides to give up his bank job. Characters: Jerry Martin Location: Unspecified
• Baron Bean Becomes Valet — Baron Bean, another hobo, becomes Jerry's valet. Characters: Jerry Martin, Baron Bean Location: Unspecified
• Jerry's Clothes Are Stolen — Baron Bean and another hobo desert Jerry during his bath and steal his clothes. Characters: Jerry Martin, Baron Bean Location: Bathing place, unspecified

Borrowed Broker Identity

Without his clothes, Jerry finds Batchelor's suit and business cards at a pool. He uses them to pass himself off as the broker and meets John and Billie Bartlett.

Key Events

• Jerry Finds a Broker's Suit — Jerry finds Batchelor's suit and cards while the broker is cooling off at a pool. Characters: Jerry Martin, Batchelor Location: Pool
• Jerry Assumes Batchelor's Identity — Using the suit and cards, Jerry passes himself off as Batchelor. Characters: Jerry Martin, Batchelor Location: Unspecified
• Jerry Meets the Bartletts — Passing as a broker, Jerry meets John and his daughter Billie, and falls for her. Characters: Jerry Martin, John Bartlett, Billie Bartlett Location: Unspecified

The Market Scheme

John Bartlett has been harmed by Batchelor, and an attempt to corner the market unfolds while Jerry is being entertained. Jerry intervenes and foils the plotters.

Key Events

• The Market Plot Emerges — An attempt to corner the market is made while Jerry is being entertained; John has previously been harmed by Batchelor. Characters: Jerry Martin, John Bartlett, Batchelor Location: Unspecified
• Jerry Foils the Plotters — Jerry foils the attempt to corner the market. Characters: Jerry Martin, John Bartlett, Batchelor Location: Unspecified

Fortune and Romance

After foiling the market plot, Jerry falls heir to a fortune. He also wins the love of Billie, bringing the romantic storyline to a happy conclusion.

Key Events

• Fortune and Love — Jerry falls heir to a fortune and wins Billie's love. Characters: Jerry Martin, Billie Bartlett Location: Unspecified

Story Breakdown

• Bank and Canary — Jerry's bank duties and the escaped bird set his adventure in motion.
  • Clerk's Duty — Jerry's principal task is caring for the bank president's canary.
  • Escaped Bird — The canary escapes, prompting Jerry to pursue it.
• Life on the Road — The chase takes Jerry away from his routine and changes his employment.
  • Far Afield Chase — Jerry follows the bird far from his ordinary bank setting.
  • Leaving the Bank — After meeting a hobo, Jerry decides to give up his job.
• Baron Bean's Theft — Baron Bean's brief service as valet ends with Jerry being abandoned and robbed of his clothes.
  • Valet Arrangement — Baron Bean becomes Jerry's valet.
  • Stolen Clothes — Baron Bean and another hobo take Jerry's clothes while he is bathing.
• Borrowed Broker Identity — Jerry uses another broker's belongings to pass as a man connected to the Bartletts' business troubles.
  • Suit at the Pool — Jerry finds Batchelor's suit while the broker is cooling off at a pool.
  • Business Cards — Jerry uses Batchelor's cards to impersonate him.
• Bartlett Romance — Jerry meets John Bartlett and his daughter Billie while passing as a broker.
  • Meeting the Bartletts — Jerry encounters John and Billie Bartlett.
  • Love for Billie — Jerry promptly falls in love with Billie.
• Market Conflict — The attempt to corner the market connects to John's business grievance against Batchelor.
  • John's Business Loss — The plot says Batchelor has nicked John in business.
  • Cornering Attempt — A market-cornering plot is attempted while Jerry is being entertained.
• Fortunate Resolution — Jerry defeats the market plot and ends the story with both wealth and romance.
  • Plot Foiled — Jerry foils the plotters' attempt to corner the market.
  • Love and Fortune — Jerry falls heir to a fortune and wins Billie's love.

Directed by

Allan Dwan

Key Cast

• Douglas Fairbanks — Jerry Martin
• Marjorie Daw — Billie Bartlett
• Herbert Standing — Mike
• Frank Campeau — John Bartlett
• Bull Montana — Baron Bean