John Bunny was the first major comedic performer of cinema. His short, plump figure (he stood 5"4' and weighed over 300 lbs.) and round face were internationally recognized as he starred in 173 short comedies from 1909 to 1914. Yet, for all of the fame he enjoyed during his acting career, he was almost immediately forgotten following his death in 1915. In "A Cure for Pokeritis", George Brown (Bunny) is a compulsive gambler who promises his wife (Flora Finch) he will give up his game of choice, poker.