For a few months at the end of 1914 and beginning of 1915, Oliver Hardy performed in comedies for the Lubin company. These split-reel and one-reel films were released over the next year and a half, and Hardy made such an impressive showing in many of them that his name even became part of the title to this particular picture (Hardy's billing during his Lubin days was Babe Hardy). This split-reeler is yet another example of ethnic humor -- something that may make modern-day audiences cringe, but which were thoroughly enjoyed in the 1910s when they were made. Hardy plays Ikie, the son of a Hebrew father, Levi Ikestein (James Levering). Ikie is constantly picked on by the other boys at school, who enjoy pummeling him with bricks. In order to protect his son, Levi accompanies him to school, but he, too, is given a brick shower. Finally they decide that their only alternative is to retaliate and they win the ensuing battle of the bricks.
by Janiss Garza
synopsis
