Harry Langdon's Drunken Misadventures in Love, Honor and Obey (the Law!)

If you're looking for a quick, charming slice of silent comedy, Love, Honor and Obey (the Law!) is definitely worth a watch today. Fans of Harry Langdon's unique, child-like persona will find themselves right at home. But if you prefer your silent films with more slapstick chaos or a tightly wound plot, this one might feel a little too gentle.

The premise is simple enough: Harry’s getting married! He goes out for a bachelor party with his buddies. Things get a little too wild, and suddenly he's got a big problem with the local constabulary.

Langdon, as always, plays the bewildered innocent caught in a grown-up world. He has this way of looking at the camera, a sort of wide-eyed "what just happened?" expression, that just kills me every time. It’s not broad, belly-laugh humor, but more of a quiet, knowing chuckle.

There's a scene where he's trying to sneak past a cop. His whole body language just screams "I am definitely not drunk and definitely not hiding anything." He keeps patting his pockets for things that aren't there. Then he tries to whistle, but it comes out all squeaky. Those little moments, just seconds long, truly make him special.

The film really relies on Harry's physical comedy, less so on the other characters. Monte Collins is there, playing a bit of a straight man, or maybe just another bewildered pal. Fred 'Snowflake' Toones has a brief appearance; I always like seeing him. His reactions are always so genuine, even in small roles.

The "obey the law" part kicks in when Harry ends up in a sticky situation. He's not a criminal, just a guy who made a bad choice after too many celebratory drinks. The film doesn't judge him too harshly. It’s more about the predicament than any deep moral lesson.

You can see the plot's gears turning a mile away, but that’s okay for this kind of film. It’s less about surprise and more about watching Harry navigate the mess he’s made. The pacing is pretty steady. Nothing too fast or slow, just a gentle trot.

One shot really stuck with me: Harry, after a particularly close call, just stands there for a beat, looking at his feet. It’s a quiet moment. He's not panicking or doing a big double-take. He’s just… processing it all.

Compared to something like The Wheel of the Law, which has a much grander, more dramatic scope, this is a tiny, personal vignette. It doesn't aim for anything big. And that's perfectly fine.

The resolution feels a little tidy. Almost too neat, but you expect that from a short comedy. It's not trying to leave you with lingering questions. It’s just a small story with a smile.

Ultimately, it’s a good example of Langdon’s unique brand of comedy. He really could do more with a shrug and a blink than some actors could with a whole monologue. If you’ve got ten minutes, give it a shot. You might just find yourself charmed.