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» » His Wife's Mother (1909)

Short summary

Jones's mother-in-law prohibits his smoking and drinking, so he takes her out for the evening and gets her drunk.
That one may be killed by kindness is a demonstrated fact, but that dire deeds may be wrought by generous acts is a rarity. Jones does, though, with great success. But, then. Eddie has never fallen down yet, although he has gotten into some awkward positions. Wifey's mamma promises, or rather threatens, a visit. This, of course, is most delectable news to Jones: "not" and when she arrives he is further perturbed by her egotistical domination of the household. Son-in-law must not smoke, nor drink; the maid must not frill nor flounce, but attire herself austerely demure. To say that this gets on Jones' nerves is putting it mildly, but what can he do? "Ah! an inspiration. It takes nerve, but it is worth a chance." So he sets out, to make his wife jealous of her own mother. First he goes out and buys her candy and flowers, then he showers attentions upon her to the extreme neglect of wifey, which starts things in the right direction for Jones. After this he takes mamma dear to the ...

Released as a split reel along with The Prussian Spy (1909).

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Gelgen
    I saw this film at the 1998 Cinema Muto festival in Pordenone; they screened a print from the Museum of Modern Art with the original intertitles missing. Fortunately, the action in this short comedy is simple enough to follow.

    Mrs Jones receives a telegram announcing that her mother is coming to visit. Mr Jones expects the worst; sure enough, his mother-in-law forbids him to smoke and drink in his own home. In what seems to be reverse psychology -- those titles are missing -- he takes the harridan out on the town, buys her dinner and expensive gifts, and ultimately gets her drunk. The mother-in-law kisses Jones in front of his wife, prompting Mrs Jones to eject her own mother!

    This is very crude domestic comedy, but it doesn't pretend to be anything higher. The fact that this sort of thing can still raise laughs is proof that the deadlock of wedlock hasn't changed very much in the century since this movie was made. Yes, dear. My rating for this: 5 out of 10.
  • comment
    • Author: Brannylv
    The Biograph people have very pleasantly varied the old mother-in-law joke in this comedy. Jones' wife invites her mother to visit them, and though Jones doesn't like it he hits upon the plan of making it pleasant for her. He buys her flowers and other presents. He takes her out to dine and she drinks too much champagne, and when they return and she reels into her daughter's presence she is summarily thrown out. Then Jones squares it with his wife and, as the story books say, live happily ever after. It is a good comic and makes the audience laugh. Besides, it is such a good variation of a stale subject that it is certain to please everywhere. - The Moving Picture World, March 6, 1909
  • comment
    • Author: Rexfire
    The furniture was oddly positioned in this short film causing it to make oblique thrusts at the audience. The focal pull of the lens accentuated the shape and texture of objects, allowing the low ceilings to press down on the characters.
  • Credited cast:
    John R. Cumpson John R. Cumpson - Mr. Jones
    Florence Lawrence Florence Lawrence - Mrs. Jones
    Dorothy West Dorothy West - Maid
    Anita Hendrie Anita Hendrie - Mrs. Jones' Mother
    Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
    Linda Arvidson Linda Arvidson - Restaurant Patron
    Flora Finch Flora Finch
    Robert Harron Robert Harron - Busboy
    Charles Inslee Charles Inslee - Waiter
    Arthur V. Johnson Arthur V. Johnson - Restaurant Patron
    David Miles David Miles - At Confectioner's
    Mrs. Herbert Miles Mrs. Herbert Miles
    Owen Moore Owen Moore - Restaurant Patron
    Mack Sennett Mack Sennett - Waiter
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