Jane’s Bashful Hero (Vitagraph, 1916)
Husbandless Jane has her eye set on Willie but he is too bashful to take the initiative. To make him jealous, she creates a scarecrow rival who happens to resemble the notorious bank robber Banker Bill. The constable, sure she is harboring the fugitive, is out to make an arrest.
Starring Edith Storey
Directed by George D. Baker
This is on our recently released
Edith Storey Blu-Ray set. The films are arranged chronologically and
Jane’s Bashful Hero is the very last one.
The thing I find most interesting about
Jane’s Bashful Hero isn’t anything in the film itself but rather in the film’s release notice in the trade magazines. Those aren’t always accurate in describing the plot but they’re usually wrong only in the details. But for this film... Well, here’s the release notice printed in
Moving Picture World. I’d suggest watching the film first and then come back to read it:
Bashful Willie Wiggins courts Jane Brown, the village belle, but after nearly wearing out the sofa cannot find the courage to pop the question. Jane finally resorts to the old ruse of jealousy. That night the village folks of Mudville are scandalized to see Jane in the arms of a stranger silhouetted against the window shade. The whole town rises up in protest, and Willie, backed by the minister, demands an explanation of Jane. She guiltily denies the impeachment and the crowd, calmed by the dominie, disperse, but Willie camps on the doorstep to catch his “rival.” Jane during the night regrets the scandal her little trick caused and flings the dummy she used into the well. Willie sees this and is horrified, believing it is the body of his rival, whom Jane has murdered. Frantic with excitement, he arouses the whole village. The indignant mob rush to Jane’s home in their nighties and drag her forth dramatically. The sheriff goes down the well, and of course Jane has a good laugh on them all when the dummy is hauled up. Willie now realizes the depth of Jane’s love and pops the question right then and there.
That’s almost but not entirely different from
Jane’s Bashful Hero as it was released. There’s enough similarity that I don’t think it’s describing an entirely different film, but only just. It’s undoubtedly the least accurate notice I’ve ever read.
The animations really add a lot. 
. I think she could give both Mabel Normand and Louise Fazenda a run for top comic actress. Had to download that one! Thanks for making it available. And yes, that summary does rather miss the boat in a lot of ways, doesn't it?