Garrison's Finish (1923)

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Jack Pickford made a strong showing in this romantic drama, adapted from the novel by W.B.M. Ferguson. Two schemers, Crimmins (Clarence Burton) and Lilly Allen (Ethel Grey Terry), dope jockey Billy Garrison (Pickford) and cause him to be disqualified from the Carter Handicap. His bad luck continues when he is attacked and beaten after trying to drink away the memory of this disgrace. Because of his head injuries, he loses his memory and is discovered wandering around New York by a pair of kindly tramps. They find the address of Sue Desha (Madge Bellamy) in his pocket and they send him there. Sue, who loves Garrison and knows his story, gets him a job working in the stables belonging to her father, the Colonel (Charles A. Stevenson). Garrison's riding talent earns him a promotion to jockey and he is scheduled to ride in the Kentucky Derby. But Crimmins finds out and reveals Garrison's identity to the Colonel, who fires him. The villain's conniving ways, however, are uncovered in time to put Garrison back in the race. He rides the Colonel's horse to victory and proposes to Sue. This picture was an attempt by Pickford's famous sister, Mary Pickford, to inject some life into Jack's flagging career. She also wrote the titles, and (on a more economical note) lent co-star Madge Bellamy her own frocks to wear on screen. ~ Janiss Garza, Rovi