His Angel Child (1924) - A very loud silent movie about a big mistake

Is His Angel Child worth your time today? If you enjoy watching a grown man have a total nervous breakdown over a misunderstanding, then absolutely. People who hate old-fashioned slapstick or movies where the plot could be solved by one sentence will probably want to throw their screen out a window.

Bobby Vernon plays Vernon. He is a guy who clearly has too much energy and not enough common sense.

His wife sends him a cable. It says she has a surprise for him.

Now, most people might think 'oh, maybe she bought a nice cake' or 'maybe she got a new hat.' Not Vernon. He decides this definitely means he is a father.

He hasn't even seen a baby. He just starts buying toys and acting like the world is ending.

The movie is basically just him running around with packages. He looks like a caffeinated squirrel in a suit.

There is a moment where he tries to carry a bunch of baby gear. It is so awkward to watch because you know it's all going to fall.

The physical comedy is okay. It is not as sharp as some of the stuff in A Night Out, but it works.

I noticed the telegram font is actually really hard to read. I had to pause it just to make sure I wasn't the one misunderstanding the plot.

The 'surprise' is actually a bungalow. A house. A whole house.

How do you confuse a house with a human infant? Vernon manages it.

His wife, played by Molly Malone, seems way too calm. If my husband showed up with a rattle and a high chair because I bought a house, I would be worried.

The pacing feels a bit like Flapper Fever. It just keeps going and going until you're tired of the joke.

I think the best part is actually the background characters. They look so confused by Vernon's behavior.

There is a guy in one scene who just stares at the camera for a second. It feels like he is asking the audience for help.

It is definitely better than Oh! Girls! which felt way more dated to me. This one is just pure, dumb fun.

The Stuff I Noticed

• The way Vernon holds a cigar while looking terrified is a mood.
• That bungalow actually looks pretty nice for 1924.
• Why does he have so many boxes? Where did he get the money so fast?
• The dog in the street looks like it wanted to be in a different movie.
• The title card 'His Angel Child' is kind of a lie since there is no child. 🤡

The ending is exactly what you expect. He realizes he is an idiot, and they all go inside the house.

It doesn't try to be deep. It's just a guy being extra for twenty minutes.

If you've seen The Night Workers, you know these shorts can be hit or miss. This one is a light hit.

I liked the part where he almost falls over the porch. It felt real, like the actor actually slipped.

The movie gets way better once he finally reaches the house. The tension of the 'secret' is the only thing keeping it moving.

Overall, it is a decent way to spend a coffee break. Just don't expect it to change your life or anything. ☕