|
Nellie, the Beautiful Housemaid
(1908) United States of America
B&W : [?] Split-reel? / 615 feet
Directed by (unknown)
Cast: [?] ? [Nellie White]
The Vitagraph Company of America production; distributed by The Vitagraph Company of America. / © 4 May 1908 by The Vitagraph Company of America [H110099]. Released 16 May 1908. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Comedy.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Three old bachelors, retired sailors, are keeping house. One is frying something in a frying pan; another is sewing buttons on his pantaloons; the remaining one is setting the table. All are dissatisfied and get into an argument over their respective duties. One suddenly has an idea. They put their heads together and send this “ad” to the paper: “Wanted: Pleasant young woman for housekeeper for three elderly gentlemen: Apply by letter only. Bachelor’s Hall.” The next morning they are anxiously awaiting the postman. He finally arrives, bringing a bundle of answers to their advertisement. Finally one is selected, in which the applicant gives her age, states that she is a good-looking brunette with amiable disposition and a first-class cook and laundress. The name signed is “Nellie White.” An answer to this is sent, and in due time a response comes announcing Nellie’s arrival on the 10:30 train. We see the three men sitting down, each one endeavoring to think of some plan whereby he can meet the brunette without exciting the suspicions of his companions. First, No. 1 sneaks into his room, brushes his hair, puts on a new necktie and fancy vest. Watching his opportunity, No. 2 goes to his room, dons his silk hat, and with his cane and buttonhole bouquet is quite the “giddy boy.” No. 3 retires to his apartment, trims his beard, puts on a toupee and otherwise adorns himself and is ready to meet the newcomer. Each old bachelor thinks he has fooled the others and one by one they start for the station. The first one arrives, looks down the track, walks up and down, proud of his appearance. Suddenly No. 2 loom, up and both he and the first arrival are terribly confused, each endeavoring to look and appear innocent. No. 3 arrives finally, notices his companions and pretends to be out for a little stroll. The train finally pulls in and an enormous colored woman, the only passenger to alight, jumps off, carrying a valise marked in large letters “N.W.” The old men ore rooted to the spot. The lone passenger waddles over to them, shows them the letter and introduces herself. They look at each other, join arms and dejectedly start for home, Nellie following. Reaching Bachelor’s Hall, they enter. The men get into a sarcastic argument over their manner of dress and retire to their respective rooms. Nellie removes her bat, puts on an apron and starts to work, cleans and straightens things up and cooks a fine dinner. The bachelors return in a rather glum frame of mind. They sniff the dinner and their humor immediately changes. They sit down and eat heartily. The new cook has more than met their expectations. They all stand up and drink a toast to Nellie.
Survival status: Print exists [incomplete].
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Keywords: African-Americans
Listing updated: 27 December 2022.
References: LoC-MoPic-1 p. 40 : Website-AFI; Website-IMDb.
Home video: Blu-ray Disc, DVD.
|
