Trouble-making "bad boy" Robert Harron (as Jimmie Bates) attacks both sweet Mildred Harris (as Mary) and sexy Colleen Moore (as Ruth). After he is expelled from school, Mr. Harron receives a beating from strict daddy Richard Cummings. Consequently, Harron runs away from home and joins a gang. Years pass. In and out of jail, Harron returns to his hometown to rob the local bank, but has second thoughts after seeing his former sweetheart. In the exciting scenes that follow, Harron must decide whether to continue his life as a criminal, or go straight. A final reconciliation ends the story...
The survival status of "The Bad Boy" is listed as unknown. Unfortunately, this means there are likely no prints remaining in existence. With future superstar Colleen Moore cast in her first substantial role, and critically acclaimed Robert Harron appearing in possibly his first top-billed feature-length film role, you would expect that if a copy of this film existed anywhere, it would have turned up by now. Harron had, of course, been a star for several years; however, as he was in the company of director D.W. Griffith, he did not receive star billing; Mr. Griffith wanted his performers to remain as anonymous as possible, and considered himself the "star" of Griffith productions. Like others in the Griffith troupe, Harron decided to break out on his own, but returned whenever Griffith offered some choice roles.
"Motion Picture Mail" (January 6, 1917) reported, "Robert Harron is the latest addition to the Triangle-Fine Arts galaxy of stars. He will be headlined in a play early in the new year, entitled 'The Bad Boy'. Mildred Harris, who has been selected to act as Douglas Fairbanks' leading lady during his winter sojourn in New York, will appear with Harron in his first starring venture before she goes to the New York studio of the Triangle during January. Harron is perhaps the only actor in motion pictures today with more than three years' experience who has been under the same direction during the entire period...
"When the general reorganization of film interests took place some time ago, which resulted in the formation of the Triangle Film Corporation, Harron found himself a member of the Fine Arts stock company, but under the same direction that he had made his entry into filmdom. The first Triangle feature in which he won commendation was 'The Missing Links', and his most recent hit was registered as the woman-hating young clerk in 'The Wharf Rat'."
Hopefully, more of Harron's non-Griffith films will someday surface.
******* The Bad Boy (2/18/17) Chester Withey ~ Robert Harron, Mildred Harris, Richard Cummings, Colleen Moore
