Recommendations
Senior Film Conservator

If you found yourself captivated by the artistic bravery of Wet and Warmer (1920), the profound questions raised in 1920 still require cinematic answers today. Experience the United States influence in these recommendations that echo Wet and Warmer.
Wet and Warmer remains a monumental achievement to provide a definitive example of Henry Lehrman's stylistic genius.
A beautiful day in Spring, and Miss May Time is beholding strange sights. Along comes gay young Billie Paste, son of a wealthy bill poster, and much stuck on himself, to meet his love, May Time. While. they are talking, an emigration of fleas from May's pet poodle, "Shimmie," causes a hasty retirement into the shrubbery, and a hurried disrobing by May, to rid herself of the offenders. And then- horrors. May turns to find her clothes gone, and in their stead the raiment of a man. Thus clothed she experiences many troubles and annoyances at the hands of a Mysterious Stranger, who is imbued with the spirit of Spring - until he is dragged into the lake in the nick of time by an obliging swan. Meanwhile, the wealthy bill poster has treacherously pasted Shimmie behind the Oriental dancer's poster, with the result that La Belle Fatima executed some remarkably Oriental movements on the billboard, shocking the passing populace, whenever "Shimmie" moves about. And then, in the midst of her troubles, Miss May Time wakes up - it was all a dream and Billy Paste proves to be none other than Montague Moon, May's own, wide awake sweetheart, while the wealthy bill poster turns out to be the hall boy in May's home, who keeps the guests in good spirits, with a hose full of hootch. Unable to use the family bath tub, because one of the lady house guests had taken up a permanent abode therein, much to the joy of the hall boy, who seems to have entree every where, May finally appeals to dear Montague, and he builds her a Russian bath on the floor above. Thither stealthily creeps the hall boy and the Mysterious Stranger, bent on beating May to it with a cooling plunge. But curses, the first dive proves the water to be glass. Troubles are but beginning for the hall boy and his mysterious friend. A quiet sleep is rudely interrupted by a nice warm fire in the middle of the bed, which greatly disturbs their dreams. In a panic, all rush for the fire extinguishers, and then the evils of bootlegging become apparent. The extinguishers are filled with inflammable hootch. Up to the roof they dash for help, but alas. The hall boy finds him self being borne swiftly to the edge of the roof on the stream of a fire hose, while the unlucky Stranger has mounted a ladder which is toppling precariously over into the canyon of the street. With the building burning around them, all appears to be lost.
Based on the unique artistic bravery of Wet and Warmer, our vault has identified these titles as the most compelling follow-up experiences for fans of Short cinema:
Dir: Charley Chase
A young married couple volunteer to take charge of several orphans after the asylum has burned down. Of course they find their hands full with their troublesome charges.
Dir: Reggie Morris
A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.
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Dir: Eduardo Notari
A crime drama in the Gennariello-series. The police detective in Naples that is confronted with modern gangsters and crime events.
Dir: Unknown Director
The Judge needs a present for his wife's birthday, so Harry suggests a new corset. They go to the shop, but he's so embarrassed to ask the saleslady he hides in a phone booth.Harry goes in, but finds a GUY wearing one, and runs out.They both dress as women to get back in, but Mrs. Rummy gets there and chases him out.
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Dir: Richard Smith
Two female candidates for Chief of Police live across the hall from each other, and their political rivalry follows them home, leading to plenty of hi-jinks.
Dir: Hal Roach
An American book salesman (Lloyd) is persuaded to go to the kingdom of Thermosa to impersonate the Prince. He is greeted by a peasants' revolt before the real prince shows up to claim his throne and princess. The revolution succeeds, and the American is elected president of the new republic.
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Dir: Malcolm St. Clair
A dancing instructor gets involved with a newly rich family.
Dir: Edgar Jones
A mail-order bride arrives at a Maine lumber camp but doesn't like her prospective husband.
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Dir: Jerome Storm
Ne'er-do-well Homer Cavender ventures to the city from Mainsville in an effort to find fame and fortune. Both elude him, and after clerking for two years, Homer returns home for a vacation. Impressed by his flashy clothes, the townspeople assume that Homer has achieved success. Attempting to win Rachel Prouty from his rival, Arthur Machim, Homer continues the deception by announcing that his employer, Kort and Bailly, has dispatched him to enroll stockholders for a proposed new plant to be built in Mainsville. Machim discovers the sham and denounces Homer as a crook. Meanwhile, Homer returns to New York, convinces his employers of the merits of his plan and comes home triumphant, with a proposal for both the new plant and for Rachel's hand in marriage.
View DetailsAnalysis relative to Wet and Warmer
| Film Title | Atmosphere | Complexity | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trail of the Rails | Tense | Layered | 96% Match |
| Kids Is Kids | Tense | Layered | 94% Match |
| Striking Models | Tense | High | 96% Match |
| 'A mala nova | Surreal | Layered | 92% Match |
| A Fitting Gift | Surreal | Layered | 96% Match |
This guide was algorithmically generated using the cinematic metadata of Henry Lehrman's archive. Last updated: 5/26/2026.
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