Skinner's Baby

Summary

In this 1917 Essanay production, William Skinner’s domestic tranquility is upended by a feverish paternalistic obsession. Convinced that his wife Honey’s pregnancy is the herald of a patriarchal successor—a William Skinner Jr.—he embarks on a series of grandiose preparations that border on the absurd. The narrative functions as a meticulous character study of the early 20th-century 'everyman' grappling with the weight of lineage and the vanity of self-replication. When the biological reality diverges from his rigid expectations, presenting him with a daughter rather than a son, the film pivots from a comedy of anticipation to a tender exploration of unconditional affection. It is a cinematic tapestry that weaves together the anxieties of fatherhood with the subversion of gendered inheritance, ultimately celebrating the intrinsic value of the child over the vanity of the name.

Synopsis

William Skinner is very pleased with the news his wife Honey is expecting their first child. He eagerly prepares for the new arrival, as he is sure it will be the next William Skinner Jr. When the bundle of joy finally arrives, much to his surprise, it's a girl. However, Honey and William are just as happy as if she were a he.