Penrod and Sam | 1923 | Comedy Drama

Title: Penrod and Sam | 1923 | Comedy Drama Director: William Beaudine Studio: J.K. McDonald Productions / Associated First National Pictures Starring: Ben Alexander, Joe Butterworth, Buddy Messinger, Newton Hall, Gertrude Messinger, Joe McGray, Eugene Jackson, Rockliffe Fellowes, Gladys Brockwell, Mary Philbin Based on: Novel Penrod and Sam by Booth Tarkington Release Date: June 1923 Runtime: Approximately 84 minutes Format: Silent black and white Country: United States Language: Silent with English intertitles Genres: Comedy Drama --- Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction to Penrod’s neighborhood 00:15:00 Formation of the boys’ secret club 00:30:00 Exclusion of Georgie Bassett 00:45:00 Club conflicts and hijinks 01:00:00 Penrod’s personal losses 01:15:00 Resolution and camaraderie --- Summary: Penrod and Sam is a 1923 American silent comedy drama that follows the adventures of Penrod Schofield and his best friend Sam Williams as they lead a group of neighborhood boys in a series of playful misadventures. Their secret club excludes certain boys, leading to rivalry, club disputes, and lessons in friendship. As events unfold, Penrod experiences both the joys and challenges of boyhood, from mock battles to personal hardships. Adapted from Booth Tarkington’s popular novel, the film blends humor with heartfelt moments that reflect childhood camaraderie and community dynamics. --- Background: Directed by William Beaudine, Penrod and Sam was part of a wave of silent films centered on youth and boyhood inspired by Tarkington’s stories. Filmed in Hollywood, it captures early 20th-century Americana with an episodic, vignette-style narrative and features performances from several child actors who later enjoyed long careers. Prints of the film survive in archives today. --- Trivia: The film is based on the 1916 Booth Tarkington novel of the same name. Penrod and Sam was directed by William Beaudine, who was known for his ability to work effectively with child actors. The story resembles early genres of youth-centered comedy that later influenced series like Our Gang. Original promotional materials included a dog character named Duke, Penrod’s loyal canine companion. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: June 1923 Original Studio / Distributor: J.K. McDonald Productions / Associated First National Pictures Copyright Status: Public Domain Renewal: Unknown --- Hashtags: #PenrodAndSam #1923Film #SilentFilm #WilliamBeaudine #ComedyDrama #BoothTarkington #PublicDomain