Alkali Ike Explained

Alkali Ike is a series of short comedy films released during the silent film era by Essanay Studios and later by Universal Pictures. Gilbert M. Anderson was involved with producing them and directed several.^[1] Augustus Carney portrayed Alkali Ike, and Harry Todd co-starred in the film series as the character Mustang Pete. Margaret Joslin and Lily Branscombe also appeared in many installments of the series.

The Library of Philadelphia has an advertisement for the "Alkali" Ike's Auto episode.^[2]

At Universal

Universal poached Carney and used the character renamed Universal Ike for a series of comedic films.^[3] It was part of its Joker Comedies series.^[4]

Other uses and adaptations of the name "Alkali Ike"

• There is a song titled "Alkali Ike Rag".
• Baseball player Grover Cleveland Alexander was nicknamed "Alkali Pete" by combining part of the names of the two lead characters in the film series: Alkali Ike and Mustang Pete.
• Marvel Comics' Earth-616 has a character named Alkali Ike.

Filmography

• Alkali Ike's Auto (1911)^[5]
• Alkali Ike's Motorcycle (1912)
• Alkali Ike Plays the Devil (1912)
• Alkali Ike's Boarding House (1912)
• Alkali Bests Broncho Billy (1912)
• Alkali Ike's Pants (1912)
• Alkali Ike's Misfortune (1913)
• Alkali Ike's Gal (1913)^[6]
• Alkali Ike and the Wildman (1913)^[7]
• Universal Ike Gets a Goat^[8]

See also

• Snakeville

Notes and References

1. Book: The Film Encyclopedia 7th Edition: The Complete Guide to Film and the Film Industry. Ephraim. Katz. Ronald Dean. Nolen. February 26, 2013. Harper Collins. 9780062277114. Google Books.
2. Web site: Digital Collections: Advertisement for. Free Library of Philadelphia.
3. Book: Zmuda, Michael. The Five Sedgwicks: Pioneer Entertainers of Vaudeville, Film and Television. May 1, 2015. McFarland. 9780786496686. Google Books.
4. Book: American Silent Film Comedies: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Persons, Studios, and Terminology. 9780899509297. Miller. Blair. 1995.
5. Book: Roots, James. The 100 Greatest Silent Film Comedians. October 23, 2014. Rowman & Littlefield. 9781442236509. Google Books.
6. Web site: To-day's Cinema News and Property Gazette. December 5, 1913. Amer. Company, Limited. Google Books.
7. Book: Bell, Geoffrey. The Golden Gate and the Silver Screen. December 5, 1984. Associated University Presse. 9780845347508. Google Books.
8. Book: Broncho Billy and the Essanay Film Company. 9780972922654. Kiehn. David. 2003.