The First Auto

The First Auto is a 1927 film about the transition from horses to cars and the rift it causes in one family. It stars Barney Oldfield and Patsy Ruth Miller. While mainly a silent film, the film does have a Vitaphone soundondisc soundtrack with a synchronized musical score and sound effects, as well as a few spoken words and some laughter.

Bob leaves to find a job in nearby Detroit. There, he is present when famed driver Barney Oldfield playing himself breaks the speed record, driving a mile in a minute. Meanwhile, Hank goes bankrupt and has to sell off all his possessions to satisfy his creditors.One day in 1905, Bob returns without telling his father to compete in the first car race in the county. A jealous rival for Roses affections convinces Hank to tamper with a car on display so that it will explode. When Bob sends Rose to bring his father to the race, Hank is horrified to discover he has sabotaged his sons car. They hurry to the track, but are too late. Bobs car crashes and burns. Hank is convinced he has killed Bob and burns down his livery stable, but Rose brings word that Bob is expected to live. Relieved, Hank gives up his hopeless resistance and joins his son in his car manufacturing company. ........

Source: Wikipedia