
This Is the Life
“He Thinks It's All Part of the Show Until They Start to Shoot Him! AND THEN-THINGS FLY!”
Synopsis
At his father’s insistence Billy Drake heads to the family’s South American ammunition company as an emissary. Before leaving, however, the movie-struck Billy spots a beautiful woman standing in front of a theater and imagines that she is a film star. To his delight, he finds the woman on board his ship, as well as political agitator Count Von Nuttenburg who has stolen a movie camera, thinking that it is a new brand of machine gun. Von Nuttenburg shows the camera to Billy. Thinking the Count is a director, and the ship a set for a movie melodrama when the boat lands at a port torn by revolution, Billy insists that the guns and soldiers are part of the show. Not until he and the girl are seized by the rebels and threatened with death, does he admit his error. By a clever ruse, he escapes from his captors and with the help of Federal troops defeats the Count and wins the heart of his pretty shipmate.
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →Release History & Theatrical Window
October 21, 1917
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Raoul Walsh
- Screenplay & Story
- Raoul Walsh
- Original Title
- This Is the Life
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- No Language
- Runtime
- 50m
- Production Studios
- Fox Film Corporation
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Raoul Walsh
Raoul Walsh
Dal Clawson
Department Leadership Roster
Raoul Walsh
Director
Raoul Walsh
Writer
Dal Clawson
Director of Photography
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for This Is the Life.
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Is the Life
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is This Is the Life about?
At his father’s insistence Billy Drake heads to the family’s South American ammunition company as an emissary. Before leaving, however, the movie-struck Billy spots a beautiful woman standing in front of a theater and imagines that she is a film star. To his delight, he finds the woman on board his ship, as well as political agitator Count Von Nuttenburg who has stolen a movie camera, thinking that it is a new brand of machine gun. Von Nuttenburg shows the camera to Billy. Thinking the Count is a director, and the ship a set for a movie melodrama when the boat lands at a port torn by revolution, Billy insists that the guns and soldiers are part of the show. Not until he and the girl are seized by the rebels and threatened with death, does he admit his error. By a clever ruse, he escapes from his captors and with the help of Federal troops defeats the Count and wins the heart of his pretty shipmate.
Who directed This Is the Life?
This Is the Life was directed by Raoul Walsh.
Who stars in This Is the Life?
The principal cast of This Is the Life includes George Walsh, Wanda Hawley, James A. Marcus, Ralph Lewis, Jack McDonald.
When was This Is the Life released and how long is it?
This Is the Life was released in 1917 with a total runtime of 50m.


















