Wanted a Wife in a Hurry (1912) User Reviews

1912 Was a Year For Men to Wear Dresses

[boblipton · 4/10 · 4 April 2016]

Isaac Dillon gets a telegram. If he gets married immediately, he will get some money. He proposes hastily to a couple of young woman, who turn him down, so a male friend borrows his wife's dress for the ceremony.

I saw this short comedy at the Eye Institue site on YouTube, the last of six short subjects which involved men wearing women's clothes for comic effect. The print is in good shape and is nicely tinted, but the constant repetition of the single gag had worn thin by the time I got to this one. In addition, the story-telling technique is pretty primitive for 1912. If you wish to look at funny movies of men in women's clothing from that year, I suggest you take a look at the John Bunny comedies in the series. This one is worthwhile only as an historic artifact.

The action quickly becomes unbelievable

[deickemeyer · 21 January 2017]

In this picture, Aunt Mary refuses to increase her hopeful nephew's allowance till he is married. Nephew tries to fool aunty, but fails and has to make good. The picture shows us his wild attempts to find a spouse. Everybody knows that there are preposterous people in the world, and the fun in such a situation depends on keeping up the illusion that the hero is surely one of these. When it is worked out, as in this picture, with the help of a man impersonating a woman, as the wife, it is hard to keep up the illusion. The plot of this picture shows much care; but not enough to make it really live. The first part promises well, but the action quickly becomes unbelievable. It is speedy and very well acted; but it won't entertain the critical. - The Moving Picture World, August 31, 1912