|
Taming a Husband
(1910) United States of America
B&W : One reel / 986 feet
Directed by D.W. Griffith
Cast: Eleanor Kershaw [Lady Margaret], Arthur V. Johnson [Lady Margaret’s husband], Dorothy Bernard [Lady Clarissa], Dell Henderson [a nobleman], Ruth Hart [a noblewoman], Francis J. Grandon [a soldier], Mack Sennett [a soldier], Guy Hedlund [a servant], Anthony O’Sullivan [a servant], Florence La Badie, Vivian Prescott
Biograph Company production; distributed by Biograph Company. / Scenario by Stanner E.V. Taylor. Cinematography by G.W. Bitzer. / © 26 February 1910 by Biograph Company [J138677]. Released 24 February 1910. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
[?] Comedy?: Historical.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Lady Margaret loved her husband with youthful impetuosity and while he deeply loved her, still so engrossed was he with social and business matters that he was often guilty of seeming indifference. She believed that his love had grown cold, and in desperation confides her fears to her best friend, Lady Clarissa, inviting her to visit and advise her. Lady Clarissa arrives and at once hits upon a plan. She dresses herself in male attire, and assumes the role of a lover, sure that she will tame Margaret’s husband and bring him to his sense of duty. Clarissa, as a young gallant, makes quite an impression upon the male companions of the husband and finds her position at times rather embarrassing, especially when invited to join their drinking and smoking fests. Hence she realizes she will put her scheme into operation at once. To this end she blatantly flirts with Lady Margaret. Several times they are apparently surprised together by the husband. But as it is during the entertainment of a house full of guests, he has small chance of resenting the insult. However, he finally catches the young unknown on his knees before his wife. This is too much and a challenge is the outcome. Seconds are selected and the time set. The seconds for the masquerading Clarissa try to dissuade their “man” from meeting his adversary, stating mat the other man has such an advantage over him, he being such a big fellow. This has no effect, as Clarissa exclaims: “I will fight him, sir, though he were as tall as a tower.” The seconds leave, despairing for their friend, as it seems suicidal. They return again with another plea and find their “man” in the arms of the wife. This enrages them, and having witnessed his perfidy, refuse to act, reasoning that the field of honor is too good; he should be slain on the spot. They convey to the husband their impression and the cause of it, which throws him into a frenzy of fury. Into the house they go with swords in hand, bent on instantly dispatching the vile wretch. Lady Clarissa sees them coming and locks the door, which she realizes will prove but a slight obstruction to the raging husband, so she, frightened, dons her conventional habiliments, and when the door yields to their battering, in rushes the husband to learn the truth of the situation and appreciate the guilt of his own negligence.
Reviews: [The Moving Picture World, 12 March 1910, page ?] A story which may carry with its telling a moral of considerable force. To win back a husband’s attentions by resorting to the ruse of a girl friend dressed in men’s attire is a novelty that might possess some degree of usefulness in other instances of the same sort. The preparations for the duel are interesting, but when the husband breaks in and is confronted with such concrete evidence of his own negligence, the denouement is unexpected and materially adds to the dramatic qualities of the piece. Staging and acting are alike satisfactory, while the photographic quality is unquestioned.
Survival status: Print exists.
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 27 December 2022.
References: Barry-Griffith p. 42; Spehr-American p. 3 : Website-AFI; Website-IMDb.
Home video: Blu-ray Disc, DVD.
|
