The Newlyweds' Servant: A Quaint, Clumsy Silent Romp 🤣

Look, if you're not already deep into silent-era comedies or just really curious about what people laughed at a century ago, The Newlyweds' Servant probably isn't for your Saturday night.

But for those who appreciate the quirks of early cinema, or want to see Ethlyne Clair in a brief, charming turn, it's a quick, almost forgotten treat. Everyone else will likely wonder why they bothered. 🤷‍♀️

It's a simple setup, really. We've got our beaming newlyweds, played by Ethlyne Clair and Ed Dooley, moving into their spick-and-span new place.

Everything's perfect, right? Well, almost. Then Sunny Jim McKeen shows up as their new servant, and let's just say his idea of 'service' is a little... energetic.

McKeen, as the servant, is the absolute heart of the film's chaos. He's not malicious, just incredibly, almost superhumanly, clumsy.

Every task, no matter how simple, turns into an elaborate physical comedy routine. I particularly remember the scene where he's trying to set the dining table.

He juggles plates. Somehow gets tangled in the tablecloth. Then a whole tray of biscuits goes flying!

You can practically hear the smash, even in a silent film. It’s all very broad, but his earnestness somehow makes it endearing.

Ethlyne Clair as the new bride is great. She has this way of looking at McKeen after one of his disasters – a mix of shock, exasperation, and then a tiny, suppressed giggle.

Her expressions are so clear, you don't even need the intertitles to know exactly what she's thinking. Dooley, as the husband, is more the bewildered type, always just a step behind the latest calamity.

There’s a moment he walks in, sees the wreckage of a vase, and just slowly turns to McKeen with this utterly blank, confused face. It’s a good little beat.

The whole thing breezes by, just a few minutes of delightful silliness. The pacing is quick; it doesn't linger on any one gag for too long.

Maybe the bit with the dog trying to steal food off the counter could have been trimmed a bit, felt like it was padding. But then McKeen trips over the dog, and it's funny again. 🐕

What really struck me was the set design, for such a short film. The newlyweds' home actually looks pretty nice, quite detailed for what it is.

You get a real sense of their domestic ideal before McKeen comes in and… well, rearranges it. It’s the little things, like the patterned wallpaper and the fancy curtains. Someone put some effort there.

You won't find any grand statements here, or crazy new camera tricks. It's just a quick laugh, a peek into the kind of entertainment that filled movie houses a hundred years ago.

It’s got a certain charm, you know? A kind of innocent fun that you don’t see much anymore. If you're into that sort of thing, it’s worth seeking out.

Otherwise, you won't be missing a grand cinematic experience. Just a small, pleasant chuckle. 😄