Trial Marriages (1907)

User Rating:

4.9/10   

Release Date:

17 January 1907 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Short

Plot:

A man attempts a series of 'trial marriages' with various women, and eventually gives up on marriage altogether. |

Plot Keywords:

Marriage | Satire | Hospital | Piano | Cellar

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Company:

American Mutoscope & Biograph

Trivia:

Biograph production number 3268.

I wasn't particularly impressed

I noticed that one reviewer absolutely loved this film. Well, I didn't feel so impressed by the film. At times, the action seemed overdone--the acting too broad--even for 1907.

The film was a reaction against a female professor's (Ms. Parsons) book in which she recommended premarital sex for career girls. That's because, according to the book, career women were delaying marriage and in order to avoid sexual frustration, they should have a monogamous sexual relationship before marriage to let off some steam, so to speak.

Well, the film never really addressed this idea. Instead, if mocked these "trial marriages" and showed four different scenarios in which it turned out miserable for the men. However, if you think about it, the four trial marriages that failed ALSO could be like any other marriage failing for the exact same reasons. The logic, like the acting, was very flawed.

By the way, this film is part of a DVD set entitled "Treasures III"--a set of four DVDs all about social issues and reform. The second disk (where you'll find this one) is about women's issues in particular.