The Ransom of Red Chief (1911)

• 70%
• 1911
• Comedy
• Western
• J. Searle Dawley

After reading a newspaper article regarding old Tightwad's rise in the world, Bill and Jim hit upon a plan to get some of Tightwad's easy money by holding young Tightwad for ransom. They accordingly hire a rig, take the boy and conceal him in a cave. The boy, instead of weeping and wailing for home and mother, proclaims himself "Red Chief" and makes it uncomfortable for his captors. Old Tightwad receives the communication and makes them a counter-proposition as follows: "If you will bring Johnny home and pay me twenty-five dollars in cash, I'll take the boy off your hand. (Signed) Ebenezer Tightwad." Bill and Jim come to the conclusion that it is really the cheapest way to rid themselves of such a boy. When the boy finds that Bill and Jim are really going to leave him at home he sets up a howl like a calliope and kicks like a mule. It takes about all the strength old Tightwad can muster to hold the boy and keep him from following Bill and Jim.