The Magic Vest

Released March 19, 1917, The Magic Vest is a one-reel Black Diamond Comedy filmed and produced by the United States Motion Picture Corporation (USMPC) in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The film was distributed by Paramount Pictures.

An advertisement for the film appeared in the April 7, 1917, issue of The Moving Picture World.

As of the writing of this article (November 30, 2017), no prints of this film are known to survive. If you have any information about the film, please contact us.

A synopsis of the film is available in the March 24, 1917, issue of Motography on page 648. The text is here transcribed by Noreen O’Connor:

The Magic Vest — Black Diamond Comedy — (One Reel)  — Paramount — March 19. — The story tells of two wandering sons of rest, thoroughly discouraged, who are about to leave the highway and seek seclusion, when they discover coming down the road, a runaway team attached to a gypsy wagon. A passenger train is approaching, and in a moment the wagon will be upon the track; they hurriedly grasp the horses within two feet of the track, just as the train shoots by. The old gypsy whose life they saved, in gratitude gives them a vest which had been given to his grandfather by a great prophet. This vest was guaranteed to bring great luck to the wearer. This is proven, for Journeying Jim had scarcely donned the vest, when an automobile halts, and they are requested to ride. The luck continues, bringing them many meals, drinks, etc. Finally they meet a discouraged young man who tells them that he has lost his position as cashier of a bank. They secure the position and their efforts to run the bank, the run on the bank and the deposits of millions which restored confidence brings, provide comedy of a wholesome sort. At the end Journeying Jim, seeking relief from the heat, removes the vest and their luck departs.