The Winning Stroke (1919): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1919, The Winning Stroke is an action, drama and romance film directed by Edward Dillon, running about 50 minutes.

What it’s about. In a mock fraternity initiation, a group of Yale students haze Paul Browning for tattling. When he learns that the leader of the group, oarsman Buck Simmons, is also winning the favor of Aida Courtlandt, the dean's niece, the jealous Browning and gambler Burton Hampdon, to whom Browning owes money, attempt to disgrace Buck so he will not be allowed to participate in the upcoming Yale-Harvard race. After they fail to lure Buck to bed with a girl, Browning takes Aida to a roadhouse so that Buck will have to break training rules to go there. When the coach, suspicious about the roadhouse incident, finds a letter planted on Buck about a deal for him to throw the race, he suspends Buck, but with Aida's influence, the dean straightens matters out. After Yale wins a close race, Browning shoots at Buck, who then trounces him. Proclaimed captain of the next year's team, Buck becomes engaged to Aida.

Who’s in it. The Winning Stroke stars George Walsh as Buck Simmons, Jane McAlpine as Aida Courtlandt, John Leslie as Paul Browning and William T. Hayes as Burton Hampdon, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 10.0/10, The Winning Stroke sits among the best-reviewed titles in the catalogue.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Winning Stroke page.

If you liked it. Fans of The Winning Stroke tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Inception and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.