The Danger Signal
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Walter Edwin
Arthur Hoops
Ruby Hoffman
John Davidson
Frank Belcher
Tom Walsh
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Danny Canavan, the large, yet cowardly son of a stern Irish-American blacksmith, is scorned and abused by his wife, father, and his father's helpers. After insurance company president Rodman Cadbury's carriage runs over Danny, his wife gives him more brow-beatings, and when he recovers, she gets him a job working on the subway. One day Danny is given a red flag as a danger signal to warn traffic of dynamite blasts. Amazed by his power to have commands obeyed, Danny develops self-confidence. After asserting his independence and thrashing one of his father's employees, Danny wins the favor of a political boss, and soon assumes leadership of a political party. Soon Danny revokes an indictment against Cadbury, and forces Cadbury and his wife to sponsor him socially. In England, he purchases a horse which wins the English Derby. After Cadbury dies in an accident during an international polo match, Danny, now a widower, marries Cadbury's widow, Beatrice. Although she complains about his lack of polish, after Danny relates his rise to the top, she acknowledges her love for him.
Director
Walter Edwin
Cast
Arthur Hoops
Ruby Hoffman
John Davidson
Frank Belcher
Tom Walsh
Billy Sherwood
Della Connor
Florence Coventry
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
The film's pre-release title was Canavan, the Man Who Had His Way. There was a trade showing of the film on November 14, 1915. According to reviews, at the beginning of the film, a shot introducing Arthur Hoops was hand colored to show him carrying a red flag. According to the Variety review, the original story was inspired by the life of former Tammany Hall boss Richard Croker. Goldwyn Pictures released a film based on the same source, entitled Hold Your Horses, on January 28, 1921. This version was directed by E. Mason Hopper, and starred Tom Moore (see below). The 1936 Twentieth Century-Fox production It Had to Happen was also based on the same source; it was directed by Roy Del Ruth and starred George Raft and Rosalind Russell (see below).
