Summary
In a delightful, if exasperating, comedic caper, Neely and Connie’s earnest attempt at matrimony is derailed not by cold feet, but by the furious intervention of their respective parents at the justice of the peace's office. Fleeing the parental storm, the eager couple embarks on a desperate car chase, only to find themselves ensnared in a rapidly escalating web of legal infringements. A simple speeding ticket quickly multiplies into a cascade of citations – for parking violations, fireplug obstructions, and even the audacious act of 'lying to a cop' when they disclaim ownership of the increasingly ticket-laden vehicle. Their hope for a quick fix from a politically connected lawyer friend dissolves into ironic despair when he, too, falls victim to the very system he promised to manipulate. The climactic courtroom scene sees Neely spinning a melodramatic, hard-luck tale to a magistrate who, in a final, unexpected twist of judicial irony, resolves their plight not with a fine or jail time, but with the very marriage they had so desperately, and unluckily, sought.
Synopsis
Neely's marriage to Connie is stopped by the irate parents of both parties, who storm the office of the justice of the peace. The love birds fly off in a car, hoping to distance the pursuing parents. They get a speed ticket and are much worried until Neely meets a lawyer friend who tells them he will use his political pull to fix them up. They call at his office half an hour later to be told that he is serving ninety days for speeding. Going out again they find on their car another ticket for parking too long, another for standing in front of a fireplug and numerous other tickets for additional violations. They try to tell the cop that they are not the owners of the car. They get another ticket for lying to a cop. In court Neely tells the magistrate a touching cock-and-bull story of his hard luck. His Honor makes an example of the pair by marrying them.
Review Excerpt
"Is This Film Worth Watching?Is In for Life (1927) worth watching today? Short answer: absolutely, if you appreciate the kinetic, often absurd humor of early silent cinema. This is a film for those who revel in slapstick, physical comedy, and the charming simplicity of a bygone era, but it will likely frustrate viewers accustomed to modern narrative complexity or nuanced character development.It’s a breezy, unpretentious ride that serves as a delightful snapshot of 1920s comedic sensibilities, pe..."
