# The First Auto

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Cast and Crew :
| Cast ||
| Role | Actor |
| | Russell Simpson |
| | Charles Emmett Mack |
| | Patsy Ruth Miller |
| Crew ||
| Director | Roy Del Ruth (d. 1961) |
| Producer | Darryl F. Zanuck (d. 1979) |
| Cinematographer | David Abel (d. 1973) |
| Based on available information, the latest crew member that is relevant to international copyright laws died in 1979, meaning that this film may be in the public domain in countries and jurisdictions with 44 years p.m.a. or less, as well as in the United States. ||
a WARNER BROTHERS
W-B
PRODUCTION
WARNER BROS. PICTURES, INC.
and
THE VITAPHONE CORPORATION
present
"THE FIRST AUTO"
A ROMANCE OF THE LAST HORSE AND THE FIRST HORSELESS CARRIAGE by
DARRYL FRANCIS ZANUCK
PASSED BY THE NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW·COPYRIGHT MXMXXVII by WARNER BROS. PICTURES, INC.
A WARNER BROTHERS PRODUCTION
Directed by Roy Del Ruth
Screen Play by ANTHONY COLDEWEY
PLAYERS
Music Score compiled by
HERMAN HELLER
Synchronized by
The Vitaphone Symphony Orchestra Herman Heller~conducting
Once upon a time, a horse was a horse.....and was loved as such. This was even before Dan Patch started breaking records, or the Vanderbilt cup races had come to displace the county fair.
The latest thing then was a bicycle built for two.....Bryan hadn't been heard of.....and a nickel was still respected——of course this was in 1895.
TROTTING
RACES
Logan County FAIR Maple City
AUG. 7-8 & 9
Crowd Yay! Come on, Hank!
"Come on Hank!"
Crowd Hey! Hank wins!
"Hank Armstrong wins!"
"Maple City is proud of you, Hank—and as its Mayor—I congratulate you."
THE WINNER
Hank's livery stable sheltered the finest thoroughbred horses in the state.
THE LOSER.
"Sam—cheer up——an' better luck next time!"
"Say, Hank—did you ever think of selling 'Sloe Eyes'?"
"I owned her grandmother—I owned her mother—and I owned her father, too—"
"—sooner than sell her—I'd cut off my right arm."
A wild party in Maple City.
"Don't look——and I'll show you a surprise!"
"It's awfully cute—but what is it?"
"A new invention called the 'horseless carriage'—I saw a picture of one in a magazine—"
"It has an engine inside—runs with kerosene oil."
"If it hasn't a horse in front—how does it go?"
I'm for you, Oh you kid
Go way back and sit down
"I didn't see you at the race, son—"
"Have a cigar, boys—this is the day I celebrate!"
Finerlohn's Chico Cigars
"Blue Jay says he never smokes."
Throughout the following year Hank Armstrong remained the popular hero of Maple City, and 'Sloe Eyes' the heroine——winning every race——
Until——
Mother and daughter.
"'Sloe Eyes' done had a stroke, suh."
"Where's my son?"
"I don't know, suh—but Ah've done sent for th' hoss doctah!"
"Sorry, but the muddy roads held me up."
"Too late, hank—there isn't a chance in the world to save her—"
"There must be something you can do——we can't let her die like this——"
"Don't give up, Old Girl—this is one race you've got to win!"
"And there's lots of other races you're going to win—you an' me—pals."
"You're on the home stretch, Old Girl——please, don't fail me—don't leave me now—"
"Hank—'Sloe Eyes' is dead."
"Little girl—you're all I've got left now——"
Hank Bob?
"Bob—"
"'Sloe Eyes' is dead."
"Gee, Dad—that's too bad."
The death of 'Sloe Eyes' would have been the sensation of Maple City if a greater sensation had not arisen.
Inventor Of Horseless Carriage Coming To Town
Elmer Hays, inventor of the First "Horseless Carriage" to be guest of honor at Mayor Robbin's home this evening. The wonders of the horseless carriage will be illustrated with magic lantern slides. Invitations are extended to all.
"It looks easy—but you can have the fifty cents if you do it."
"Hank—this is Mr. Hays, who says he's going to put the horse out of business."
"Glad to meet you—even if you are responsible for such a rash statement."
"Mr. Armstrong, the world progresses—everything's speeding up—"
"The Horseless Carriage is not a dream—it has come to stay, or rather, it has come to——go!"
"Mr. Hays, let me work the magic lantern for you."
"First, behold the faithful old horse——the animal that my invention will render a curiosity—"
"Now, behold the steam carriage—the first crude effort made by man to travel without the aid of a horse."
"The modern 'Horseless Carriage'....It will out-run and out-live its four-footed rival—"
"Also, I might add, it eliminates the horsefly."
"He talks like a damn fool!"
"Think of it, Dad—isn't it great!"
"Nothin' great—except—he's an awful liar!"
1895 HAYES HORSELESS CARRIAGE WORK
"This is our factory, employing twenty men, and turning out three cars per month——which will soon be increased to five!"
"With the bold prophecy that 'Horseless Carriages' will someday attain a speed of thirty miles an hour, I will conclude my few remarks."
It remained for Squire Rufus Stebbins, Maple City's richest and most conservative citizen, to give the town its most breathless sensation.
We Are With YOU STEBBINS
LONG LIVE STEBBINS
Bring Fame to Maple City
MAY LUCK RIDE WITH YOU
Bring Fame to Maple City
HOORAY FOR STEBBINS
Maple City Will Miss You
We Are With YOU STEBBINS
TO THE BRAVEST MAN IN TOWN
MAPLE CITY HONORS STEBBINS
MAY LUCK RIDE WITH YOU
"There's Stebbins' newfangled buggy, what he sold his horses to buy!"
Hair Tonic
"It's a great contraption—nothin' to pull it an' nothin' to push it!"
"Talk sense—every horse on the road'll laugh itself to death."
"They'll laugh, all right—'cause they won't have nothin' else to do——pretty soon the only horses you'll see will be stuffed ones!"
"A horse is practical—a horse has got sense—a horse is an animal—you fool!"
Hank Armstrong
"You ain't safe to shave a man! You're crazy! I'll never come in here again!"
FARMERS & MERCHANTS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY CHICAGO, ILL.
April 1st 1897.
Mr Rufus Stebbins, Maple City. Ind, Dear Sir, Word has reached our office that you have purchased a "Horseless Carriage" we hereby notify you that your life insurance policy has been cancelled, as this company regards such a contrivance as dangerous and unsafe and will not be responsible for the loss of life, or limb.
Very Truly Yours. J. Adams, President.
UNDERTAKING PARLORS D.P. GRAVES
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS.
To Start— 1. Open the throttle. 2. Retard the spark. 3. Connect the switch. 4. Crank the engine.
"Can I wind it up for you, Mr. Stebbins?"
But progress isn't halted by ridicule nor by sentiment, even when it is as warm and fine as Hank's love for man's faithful friend—the horse.
"Better hide, Bob—your dad's comin'!"
"So you've quit th' honest work of horse-shoeing to make a fool of yourself over these loud smellin' machines!"
"And you, Joe Saunders—you're just plain fool to buy a tin boiler when you could get a horse for half th' money!"
"This auto's got more power than all your dray horses put together—and it can go faster than 'Sloe Eyes' ever went!"
"'Sloe Eye's' little colt can leave your kerosene can so far behind you'll forget you're in a race——for money, chalk or marbles!"
"I'll take that bet fer a hundred dollars, Jockey!"
"Listen, folks—if you want to see a little colt beat one of these explosion buggies, be at the Fair Grounds in ten minutes!"
"Ready?"
Race starter Go!
"Go!"
"Hurry up, Progress——don't keep me waitin'!"
"One more explosion, Joe, an' she'll fly!"
"The horse wins!"
"What are they doin' over there—don't they know we won?"
"Sure, Hank, but it's nothing to see a buggy go with a horse—the wonder is to see a buggy go without a horse!"
"You wouldn't have beat me, Hank Armstrong, if I hadn't dropped somethin' vital."
For the first time, Hank realized the importance of the automobile——
"I'm glad you came, Sam—that bay mare can be had for th' price you said you'd pay."
"I hate to tell you, Hank—but—I don't think I'll buy the mare."
"Sam, don't tell me you are gettin' interested in them autos."
"You see, Hank—the family is urging me to put the money in—something modern."
"Hank—we can still be good old friends, can't we?"
"I can't be friends with any man who'd rather feed kerosene to a buggy than look into the eyes of a faithful horse!"
"Mr. Robbins—did you sell your horses?"
"I've changed my mind—it didn't seem quite right."
HANK ARMSTRONG'S LIVERY
"I'll bet Dad talked you out of it—everybody in town is buying an auto, but he's too old-fashioned."
Hank Bob!
"Bob!"
"I said—come here!"
"So it's you that's been talkin' Mayor Robbins into sellin' his horses, eh?"
"I never beat a horse in all my life—I've always believed in usin' kindness—"
"I've tried to teach you by th' same methods—but you weren't worth it—"
"But, Dad—you're losing your reason!"
"A horse is loyal—a horse remembers—a horse knows what gratitude is—"
"But you——you bite the hand that feeds you—you betray your own father!"
"You've been driving horses so long—you've turned into a brute!"
"Remember, Dad—I could have done the same to you—but I had too much respect—Good-bye."
In the nearby city of Detroit.
"Leave Mr. Ford's personal hammer alone!"
Not even Bob, with all his enthusiasm, dreamed that in this group was the man who would make the automobile as democratic as stoves, and the racing driver who would thrill the world with his speed.
Barney Oldfield
——Played by Himself.
"Everything set?"
"Plenty oil?"
"Yes, Mr. Oldfield, plenty oil."
"He's been here since sun-up getting in everybody's way."
"I'll do my best, Henry, to put her up to sixty miles an hour."
"A mile a minute! A new world's record!"
With the passing of but a few years, the 'Horseless Carriage' evolved into the automobile, and horses gradually disappeared from the highways.
And with the disappearance of the horse, Hank Armstrong's business dwindled and died——
PUBLIC AUCTION TO-DAY Hank Armstrong's PERSONAL EFFECTS & ALL LIVE STOCK SOLD TO SATISFY ALL CREDITORS
His last valuable and cherished possession——Bright Eyes, the colt for whose life Sloe Eyes, the mother, had sacrificed her own——
"—you all know the pedigree of this little thoroughbred, valued once at ten thousand—what am I bid now?"
"Three hundred."
"Four hundred."
"Four fifty!"
"Come on—I'm bid four hundred fifty dollars—who'll make it an even five?"
"Five hundred!"
"Six hundred!"
"Six hundred fifty!"
"Third and last call—sold to Ned Jarvish for six hundred and fifty dollars!"
"I know your reputation, Ned—don't let me ever hear of your beatin' this little mare."
"I bought her an' I'll do what I please with her!"
Detroit, Michigan
Dear Dad—
I'm waiting to let you know I haven't forgotten all the nice things you done for me.
I'm making a success here and may return one of these fine days and surprise you.
Your son.
Bob
"You'll pull this load or I'll beat yuh to death!"
"I warned you not to abuse her!"
"Shut up—I'll do as I please!"
Estranged from the son he had wronged——haunted by memories of happy days gone by——
"Bright Eyes!"
"You're all I've got, little girl—I knew you'd come back——"
In the good old summer time.
Dear Rose—
Am working here in Detroit. Have a job where they build autos. The picture shows the men I am working for and one of their racing machines.
"Look at this picture Bob sent from Detroit—one is Barney Oldfield, and I think the name of the other fellow is Ford."
"Forget Bob—he ain't comin' back, and I ain't goin' away."
"He is coming back——and we're going to be married."
"I'll never ride in your old buggy again!"
Thus, in 1904, the first girl in the world to walk home from an automobile ride——
"Fair one—wilt thou join me in a ride?"
"No thanks—I'm walking home from one now."
"The junk pile's right around the corner—and the stable's here."
Business and friends gone——despair his only companion——madness seemed waiting in the distorted visions that tormented him.
RUFUS STEBBIN'S HORSELESS CARRIAGE BLOWS UP
Insurance Company Refuses to Pay Damages
The horseless carriage recently purchased by Rufus Stebbins has proved a very dangerous [...]
"They all ought to blow up!"
"If somebody was to put sulphur in that racing car tomorrow, it sure would discourage people from buying automobiles—"
"Why, I'll bet they couldn't sell a car in Maple City for years afterwards—"
"What made it explode?"
"That's easy—all you have to do is put a little sulphur in the gas tank."
"Did you say—sulphur—in the gas tank?"
"Sure, sulphur—you've got a lot of it in your stable right now—for horses' hoofs."
All Logan County gathered to witness its first auto races——
"Dad doesn't know I'm driving—Rose is bringing him as a surprise to see me."
"Mr. Armstrong, I want you to go to the auto race with me. I've got a surprise for you."
"I'm not interested in races of that kind."
"But your own son is in town—he's going to drive in the race!"
"Nonsense—Bob's in Detroit."
"He was in Detroit—but he came yesterday——this is his car—"
This is me, and my new racing car—the one I'm going to race with at home don't tell Dad until the day of the race as I want to surprise him.—Bob.
This is me
over
"Are you sure my son is going to drive that car?"
"Of course—it's the same car that was on display last night in the park."
"God! That car will never finish the race—"
The A-1-HANK ARMSTRONGLIVERY
"So—even you—you failed me—"
While the rest of Maple City slumbered one man walked in a trance——crushed by the thought he had killed his own son.
The stable he had once loved meant nothing now——his son was dead——
"They're going to be able to pull Bob through—he keeps calling for you."
"You mean Bob's all right—that he's forgiven me?"
"Quick—come with me!"
HANK ARMSTRONG & SON
AUTOMOBILES
5746
PARK HERE FOR AUTO RACES
"Why didn't Bob and Rose come to the auto races?"
"Oh—they went to the horse show."
"How fast are they going?"
150 Mi's.
12[...]
Mi's. Pr. Hr.
"Average speed, 138 miles per hour!"
"How fast is that bird going?"
"I read those darn things go over two hundred miles an hour."
"Gosh—what's the world coming to next?"
The end of the trail——
The End W-B
A WARNER BROTHERS PRODUCTION
This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1929.
Copyright law abroad tends to consider the following people authors of a film:
* The principal director
* The screenwriter, and/or other writers of dialogue
* The composer/lyricist (if the film is accompanied by sound)
* The cinematographer
* By extension, the authors of any works that may serve as the basis for a film's plot
The longest-living of these authors died in 1979, so this work is in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 44 years or less. This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works.
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