The Phoney Cannibal (1915)

• 40%
• 1915
• Comedy
• Chance Ward
• Lloyd Hamilton
• Bud Duncan
• Charles Inslee

In an effort to dodge their board bill, Ham and Bud depart from Mrs. Mum's home via the fire escape. The two come to a street corner where the Rev. Salamander Fish is telling of the efforts being made to convert the heathen. The missionary has a cannibal with him. The speaker's story so affects his listeners that they contribute liberally when he takes up a collection. This gives Ham an idea. Dragging Bud to a costumer he compels his pal to dress up as a cannibal. Ham dons clerical attire. Leading Bud by a chain, Ham takes up a stand on one of the streets and commences to address the crowd. His lecture and the sight of the phoney cannibal causes the crowd to fill the hat which Ham presently passes around. In the meantime, Mrs. Mum discovers her boarders have decamped. Accompanied by several officers, she goes in search of them. Ham finishes taking up the collection and is about to place the money in his pocket when Bud grabs the cash and flees. Ham gives chase. Mrs. Mum and the officers get on the trail of the two. Ham catches Bud and is compelling him to surrender the money, when he observes Mrs. Mum and her escort approaching. The adventurers flee once more. They hide behind a tree just as their landlady stumbles and falls. The officers run down a side street and disappear. Elated with their cleverness, Ham and Bud come from behind the tree and commence counting their cash. Mrs. Mum sees the two. Pulling a revolver from her shirtwaist, she compels her boarders to fork over. Cowed by the pistol, Ham gives vent to his exasperation by kicking Bud down the street.