How Long Is “The Hobo”?

Considering that Billy West was the premier impersonator of Charles Chaplin's tramp character, it's no surprise that he'd wind up in a film called The Hobo. The plot to this particular two-reel offering is especially Chaplinesque. Hobo Billy rides the rails and when he lands in the yard, he is chased away. Dolly, a pretty girl (Virginia Clark), catches his eye and it turns out that she is the stationmaster's daughter. Billy is hired as the station manager's assistant and he tries to steal Dolly's attention away from her sweetheart, Harold (Oliver Hardy). Mr. Fox, a car thief (Leo White), tricks Billy by exchanging a stolen auto for a couple of tickets out of town. Instead of taking the stolen car, however, Billy accidentally winds up with Harold's new car. Harold and the cops pursue Billy, who has gone for a ride with Dolly. Fox misses his train and he tries to steal Harold's car. This gets him captured and Billy gets the reward. Dolly, nevertheless, returns to Harold, so Billy gives them the money and leaves town.