Chip of the Flying U

Chip of the Flying U (1914)

29 Aug 1914 • Short, Western
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Claude Bennett, a handsome young fellow, occupies a desk in his father's bank, but does not earn his salt. He has an artistic temperament, and has done some clever sketching, but has never earned a dollar in his life. Idling one morning at his desk, he draws a ridiculous cartoon of his father, which comes to the attention of the bank president, who summarily tells Claude that the town is not big enough for him. After a moment's reflection, Claude replies with spirit that he will go west. Claude Bennett develops into "Chip," a lively young cowboy on the Flying "U" Ranch down in Texas. Whitmore, the "Old Man" of the ranch, is a hard worker, and does not spare himself any more than he does the boys. Chip becomes an all-around man after a number of adventures in which the wildest bronchos test his staying powers as a rider, and one day the "Old Man" tells him to hook up the team and drive to the station. Chip is told to meet the "old man's" sister, who is a woman doctor. While putting on his other shirt to drive to town, Chip discusses the prospective arrival of the "old maid doctor," and they conjure up visions of an ancient she-dragon, with a face like a lemon. Chip awaits around in a dejected manner until the train pulls in. He is delighted to discover that the "old maid doctor'' is a very pretty charming, young girl. Chip improves the time during the ride to the ranch to get well acquainted with the "little doctor," as he already begins to call her in his own mind, whereas she discovers in this tanned and sprightly young cowboy many of the elements which go to make up a hero, especially in the mind of a young girl. She demonstrates her skill with the rifle by shooting a coyote, this feat of arms putting Chip absolutely at her mercy. He succumbs entirely to her natural fascination. Chip still does a little sketching now and then, some of which comes to the attention of the "little doctor," who encourages him to paint a really good picture. An accident occurs in which Chip is thrown from his horse and dragged at the end of a lasso over the plains at a gallop. His pet cayuse breaks a leg and Chip is about to end its misery with a bullet when the "little doctor" announces that she can set the leg with splints. She does so, and another arrow from Cupid's bow goes to the heart of Chip. Then Chip is laid up with a sprained ankle and the "little doctor" takes care of him. During his recovery he gets to work on the picture, which he paints with great natural skill, and the "Old Man's" silent partner, Dunk, who comes to the ranch on a visit, sees the painting and promises to take it to the city and show it to someone with a knowledge of art. The picture sells for a good fat check. The "little doctor" captivates everybody. Even Patsy the cook, with his dirty apron, succumbs to her charms, and when she makes a professional visit to the kitchen and orders him to "clean up," he obeys after much grumbling. The "Old Man" hears the rattling of tins and kettles in the kitchen and makes an investigation. Patsy has the floor covered with soap suds, and is scrubbing away with great spirit. The "Old Man" dashes into the kitchen and sprawls all over the floor, sliding on the soap suds. He has it in his heart to murder Patsy and starts after him, but Patsy slides through the door on another installment of soap suds, and the "Old Man" toboggans down the steps after him. The "little doctor"' is always up to something. She has all the cowboys her slaves, with Chip the worst of the lot. She gets a letter stating that Dr. Cecil Grantham, whose name Chip has heard her mention before and whom he looks upon as a formidable rival, is going to arrive on the next day's train, for a visit to the "little doctor." Chip feels very much disturbed in spirit. He imagines that Dr. Grantham is coming to claim his bride, and the "little doctor" mischievously leads him to think so. So Chip is chosen as the instrument to bring his rival to the ranch, being ordered to accompany the "little doctor" in the buckboard. and greet the expected visitor. They pull another one on Chip, for the formidable Dr. Cecil Grantham is a sweet and saucy miss, a classmate of the "little doctor." Chip is so happy over the outcome that he visibly shows it and the girls have a great deal of fun at his expense, in consequence. The "Old Man" becomes infatuated with the new arrival. Dunk, who has fallen in love with the "little doctor," finds himself outclassed by Chip, and that he hasn't a chance. He shows his jealousy, whereupon he is given to understand in unmistakable terms, that he is not in it. Dunk "beats" it for the railroad station. Then follow gay days at the ranch. Chip saves the "little doctor's"' life when she is pursued by a locoed stallion, and there is no more coquetry on her part. The "Old Man" wins the "little doctor's'' chum, and when the announcement is made and each loving couple confesses to the others, the "Old Man" sends Patsy for a bottle of wine, so that they can all drink to each other's health.

Colin Campbell
Director
Colin Campbell, Peter B. Kyne, Bertha Muzzy Sinclair
Writer
Tom Mix, Kathlyn Williams, Wheeler Oakman
Starring

Language: None, English
Awards:
Country: United States
Metacritic Score:
DVD Release Date:
Box Office Total:

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