The Wise Man and the Fool - Production & Contact Info

The Wise Man and the Fool (1916)
Short | Short, Drama

Primary photo for The Wise Man and the Fool

The Wise Man and the Fool (1916)

Short | Short, Drama

Young debutante Myrtle Elliot is very much interested in Fred Hunt, an engineer employed in a copper mine owned by a firm of which R.W. Willis is the head. Willis has long hoped that his son would become sufficiently interested in the ...See moreYoung debutante Myrtle Elliot is very much interested in Fred Hunt, an engineer employed in a copper mine owned by a firm of which R.W. Willis is the head. Willis has long hoped that his son would become sufficiently interested in the business to become a partner, but Ray, the son, likes nothing but pleasure. Finally, Willis tells his son that if he will settle down and marry within six months he will be made a partner in the business. The father then remarks that he would like to see Myrtle Elliott become the wife of Ray. Hunt is very backward in his suit for the hand of the girl, but finally summons up enough courage to propose. Myrtle tells him that she cannot give him a definite answer until he settles down, as she can never marry a man who is liable to be sent off at a moment's notice. Ray calls upon Myrtle and sees the feeling she has toward Hunt and persuades his father to transfer Hunt to the mines, not telling the real reason for his request. With his rival out of the way Ray improves his opportunities and soon has the girl so that she encourages his suit to a certain extent. He remonstrates with her for thinking of Hunt occasionally and resolves to so disappoint the girl in Hunt that she will entirely forget him. Ray goes to the mines and secures a picture of Hunt and his sister, which he carries back and shows to Myrtle, telling her that Hunt has a sweetheart at the mines. Shortly afterward Hunt receives the letters he has written to Myrtle back unopened and cannot understand the girl's treatment of him. Through pique Myrtle listens to Ray's proposal and finally a wedding day is set. To take away the sting of the girl's treatment of him Hunt becomes very much interested in the little book of parables which Myrtle gave him when he left, especially so in the one concerning the "Wise Man and the Fool." This parable deals with the Fool in search of happiness who overlooked the important point and the Wise Man had secured the happiness of which the Fool is in quest. He takes the lesson to fit his own case and determines to take matters into his own hands. He returns to the town to seek out Myrtle and demand an explanation. Ray learns of his arrival and persuades Myrtle to marry him immediately. Hunt goes to the mining company's office and thus learns that Ray and Myrtle are on their way to get married. He follows them to the little town and finally locates them in front of the church. He believes the marriage has already been performed, but rather than go away without learning why the girl has slighted him, asks her this question. She tells him of the picture incident and the stories that Ray had brought back concerning Hunt and his supposed sweetheart. Myrtle flies into a rage, declares that she has been deceived and refuses to have anything more to do with Ray. Hunt is still under the impression that the two have been married and starts to leave the scene, but Myrtle laughingly tells him that they had missed the minister and the marriage had not yet been performed. Ray receives his just deserts, while Hunt comes into the reward which he justly deserves. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less

Contacts

+ Add

Become a member to see contact information for The Wise Man and the Fool.

Cast	+ Add Cast
4 cast members

Name	Known for
Myrtle Gonzalez Myrtle Elliott Myrtle Elliott See fewer	The Level (1914)
Fred Church Fred Hunt Fred Hunt See fewer	The Flirt (I) (1916)
Val Paul Ray Willis Ray Willis See fewer	Suspense (1913)
Alfred Allen R.W. Willis Sr. R.W. Willis Sr. See fewer	An Old Fashioned Boy (1920)