The Busher

Reviewing and rating a movie like THE BUSHER is difficult in that you really can't place the same standards on this film as you would a sound film or even a silent film from only a few years later. That's because until about 1912, there really hadn't been feature films as we think of them today. Most films were incredibly short in length and a 10-minute film was about average. Complex films were certainly NOT the norm, though a few exceptions come to mind (such as the Italian film CABIRIA, several D. W. Griffith epics and the delightful DADDY LONGLEGS). Generally, when we think of the "great" silents, they are the ones made in the 1920s--and often the mid to late 1920s.

So, for 1919, THE BUSHER is a definite standout film, though had it been made just a few years later I would have rated it lower as my expectations would have been a lot higher. For example, the plot seemed extremely melodramatic (and similar to a Horatio Alger story) and was a lot like an old fashioned stage production in that sense. But, for 1919, this was NOT seen as clichéd and so this can easily be forgiven.

As for the rest of the film, it was shot on location in what looked like a small town and offered a lot of heart. From a historical or nostalgic point of view, it was a lot of fun to watch. Baseball fans in particular will love the old uniforms, gloves and style of play and can forgive the somewhat archaic characters. Those NOT enamored with history, nostalgia and baseball still might enjoy the film, though with kids craving explosions and mindless entertainment, this film might be too taxing or cerebral for some viewers.

"The Busher" is a somewhat charming little feature. It's a rural romance, where the hero is temporarily corrupted by the city-a common type of American picture during the silent era. The baseball part serves to distinguish it from other such fare, although its star Charles Ray had already appeared in a similar project, "The Pinch Hitter" (1917), so maybe there isn't much there to separate. The baseball footage is okay, although there is some bad continuity during the big league game, and Ray clearly can't really throw a ball (he lightly tosses it and adds wasted motion in his windup). "The Busher" also features some nice art titles.

A star from the mid teens to early twenties, Ray seems to have specialized in this role of country bumpkin making good and winning the affections of his sweetheart (here played by Colleen Moore, who would become a bigger star later in the 20s). Ray has all sorts of hesitations and odd mannerisms down pat for the type, but I've seen better, such as by Richard Barthelmess ("Tol'able David") and Robert Harron ("True Heart Susie"). Another would-be star, John Gilbert, gives what I consider the best performance here, though. He's a slick and gleeful opponent to the hero; it's just too bad his part was so small. Additionally, Margaret Livingston plays Pearl Devere, the woman from the city, which she also played in "Sunrise" (1927).

Sentimental and charming silent film starring Charles Ray as Ben, a bashful small town farm boy who loves baseball and is the pride of the town based on his great curve ball. He lives in the kind of pleasant country town of yesteryear where the doings include box socials, square dances, and old-timers gossiping in the general store sitting around the pickle barrel. When the St. Paul Pink Sox get stranded in town for a day, Ben asks these new fellows to choose sides and play some ball - not realizing they are professional ballplayers. He manages to strike out a top player and is soon invited to join the team. The other players think he's a rube and decide to "break him in", and soon our fellow has acquired city ways, city clothes, and a city vamp chasing after him - - and he forgets his small town friends.

This is a very enjoyable film - a real treat to see. Colleen Moore is very young and lovely here - but it is Charles Ray who plays the innocent country boy with so much charm, vulnerability, and emotion, he completely steals this film. There is a very entertaining scene showing a bid for lunches at the "box social" in which the men can only see the ladies via shadow play - Charles Ray elicits much emotion in this scene, as well as another scene where he receives a telegram and is worried that someone has died - everything he's thinking registering on his handsome, open face. By the way, watch for a very young and slim John Gilbert in this, as the banker's son, a rival for the affections of Colleen Moore. The Kino DVD of this features a nice-looking print and fast-paced, snappy ragtime piano score that suits the film to a tea.

Nice little film about baseball and love in rural America in 1919.

Charles Ray stars as the local hero in the "bush" league who gets his chance in the major leagues but is a failure. He comes back home in disgrace but gets a second chance by winning the big game back in the bush leagues. His reward is a second chance at the big league and winning the local sweetheart (Colleen Moore).

Snappy 55-minute film is a showcase for Ray who was a big star in silent films. The film is also good for early looks at Moore and John Gilbert (who plays the banker's son) who would both be superstars of the 20s.

In 1919 baseball was the passion of America, and this film is full of little touches of baseball humor and slogans. Worth a look.

Charles Ray (as Benjamin "Ben" Harding) is a country boy who loves baseball; he's the pride of small town Brownsville. His sweetheart, Colleen Moore (as Mazie Palmer), has a batting average of 1,000 in Mr. Ray's affection - however, he barely gets to first base! John "Jack" Gilbert (as Jim Blair) is a rival for Ms. Moore's affections; he is not only a heel, with a tendency to drink and gamble - Mr. Gilbert is also more well-heeled, being a banker's son. When St. Paul Pink Sox, a big league team, is stranded in Brownsville, Ray gets to strut his stuff; then, he is offered a major league spot. Will success spoil Ben Harding?

Ray is convincing as "The Busher", displaying the little mannerisms which made him so successful in this type of part. His face and body movements expertly portray the "innocent country boy" type. He says, "Gosh!". Entering a social, he pats his hair down with a licked hand. His performance at the "Box Social" is charming - at this occasion, the men "bid" on women they can only see as shadows behind a screen. Moore and Gilbert are fine in the supporting roles; both would become major 1920s stars.

The St. Paul Pink Sox? It might have been a combination of the Boston Red and White Sox. Ray's curve ball nicely strikes out into one of the title cards, and that "Box Social" sure looked fun. It's difficult to believe a major league baseball team considers you finished after one bad game, though; if that were true, there would be no baseball.

****** The Busher (5/18/19) Jerome Storm ~ Charles Ray, Colleen Moore, John Gilbert, Jay Morley