Putting Pep in Slowtown

In the aptly named Slowtown the townspeople don’t even have sufficient energy to "up and die." Mayor Van Poke, in office for the last 15 years, is so slow he can't get out of his own way. His daughter Dolly is the prettiest girl in town though. The frustrated sexton puts an ad in the paper for a Mayor that will put the Pep in Slowtown. Peter Pep, whose middle name is Speed with a capital S, gets the job thanks to his galvanizing presence. He puts pep into everything and everyone, even into Dolly's heart and they fall in love. Dolly makes a spirited stand for her father, but Peter wins out. In celebration Peter Pep marries Dolly, and they are off on their honeymoon in a cloud of dust.

Directed by Wally Van, Putting Pep in Slowtown leans on a strong ensemble — Wally Van, Zena Keefe, William Shea — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about comedy titles of 1916.