November 21, 2011

92. Bud's Recruit (1918)

So... I fell for Robert Gordon
Here's another one of his appearances. 




 It's the time of war. 
Bud is one of two brothers, the main characters of this film. 
He lives and breathes for the thought of war and the need to take action.

 While being too young to enlist, he has built up a reserve army from his peers






 this kid was too short to be accepted


 but was then given the task of drumming out of pity
turns out the marching and drumming was too much, so the kid stopped to rest



 hmmm, hmm

 Now we're talking!






 Mrs. Gilbert looks proudly on
She and Reggie are a part of the pacifist association in their city





 Bud comes home for supper


 Reggie talks about not getting drafted

 Bud shouts at him for being a coward or something, interrupting the call


 Bud leaves the table without having eaten

 he feels pity for the boy


 There is no mention of the boys' father in the film and that leaves the story open for speculation.
Did their father die in the war and thus inflict traumas on everybody? 
Is that why Bud wants to be like him, whereas Reggie and the mother are terrified of the whole thing?

 Bud lies down for some daydreams

 he thinks up a scene where a man carries the American flag and once he gets shot down, another man will take his place and carry the flag on his behalf



 the boyfriend informs her, making her really proud and happy

 enter Reggie and Edith
Reggie is relieved about not being in the same position as the other guy





 the guys get into an argument

back home, Bud gets some supper after all








 Reggie arrives, he's a bit moody


 he takes down the Army poster from their door

 Bud gets mad and draws a chalk line to separate their room in half





 meanwhile the kids' army protests outside

 they come out to see what's going on

 Edith changes sides, wanting to carry a flag for the boys



 Nightfall



 Bud reads the grim news and feels disgusted and frustrated

 he looks into the mirror and catches the reflection of his sleeping brother... 
and something specific about his features

 the mustache! 
he makes up a fake one for himself to see if it might fool people



 the following morning he's up early to enlist 


 back at home Reggie is confused about the whereabouts of his glasses, but he does have a spare pair




 Reg is confused after he meets some townspeople who congratulate him

 Edith is proudly showing the paper to Mrs. Gilbert


 ...even Edith's sister sneaks up to give him a congratulatory kiss 

 The mother holds onto a portrait, probably Reggie's. 
Could also be the father's picture, though

 Reginald gets to see the news for himself



 he leaves the women and retreats into his room

 despite the confusion, he gets a bit show off-y

 he boasts to Bud, and the two shake hands


 still contemplating the news, he sits down to read the paper


 what do his pretty eyes see?



 uh oh... busted!!



 a fight ensues





 poor boy

he has a look around the station and gets bombarded by posters




 Bud is getting ready, dressing up as his brother

 the name is called up at the recruitment office





 both Gilbert boys are there, so Bud has to go back home while Reggie joins the ranks

 Bud brings out the whole family to see the moment when Reggie leaves for war


 poor mother




You can watch the film HERE.


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