Alf's Button (1920 film)

Alf's Button is a 1920 British silent fantasy comedy film directed by Cecil Hepworth and starring Leslie Henson, Alma Taylor and Gerald Ames. It was based on the 1920 novel Alf's Button by William Darlington. The film is about a British soldier who discovers a magic coat button which summons a genie to grant his various wishes. It was remade as a sound film in 1930.

Alf's Button
American advertisement
Directed by	Cecil Hepworth
Written by	Blanche McIntosh
Based on	Alf's Button by William Darlington
Produced by	Cecil Hepworth
Starring	Leslie Henson Alma Taylor Gerald Ames James Carew
Production company	Hepworth Pictures
Distributed by	Hepworth Pictures (U.K.) First National (U.S.)
Release date	May 1920 (1920-05) (U.K.)
Running time	7 reels
Country	United Kingdom
Language	Silent (English intertitles)

It was shot at Walton Studios.

Plot

As described in a film magazine, during World War I, Alf (Henson) discovers that he has a brass button which, when he rubs it, summons Eustace (Carew), a genie. While in the trenches, the genie brings Alf and his friend Bill (MacAndrews) goblets of beer, pretty young women, a bath, and anything their hearts desire. Finally, Alf is discharged from the Army and marries Liz (Taylor), who returns the button to the genie.

Cast

• Leslie Henson as Alf Higgins
• Alma Taylor as Liz
• Gerald Ames as Lt. Denis Allen
• James Carew as Eustace, the genie
• Eileen Dennes as Lady Isobel Fitzpeter
• John MacAndrews as Bill Grant
• Gwynne Herbert as Lady Fitzpeter
• Jean Cadell as Vicar's wife

Bibliography

• Low, Rachael. History of the British Film, 1918-1929. George Allen & Unwin, 1971. ISBN 978-0-04-791021-0.

External links

• Alf's Button at IMDb
• Synopsis at AllMovie