His Bread and Butter

Plot

Hank Mann stars as a clumsy and perpetually distracted waiter who struggles to maintain his composure at a busy restaurant. After his incompetence leads to several professional mishaps, he discovers a 'Help Wanted' sign for a lady cashier and hatches a plan to have his wife, Peggy Pearce, apply for the position to double their household income. The catch is that the proprietor, Slim Summerville, refuses to hire married women, forcing the couple to hide their relationship and pretend to be strangers. Complications escalate rapidly as both the lanky proprietor and the head waiter, Bobby Dunn, begin aggressively courting the 'single' cashier, driving the husband into a frenzy of slapstick jealousy. The situation culminates in a chaotic chase after the truth is revealed in the couple's own bedroom, leading to a high-speed pursuit involving stolen cars and motorcycles.

Historical Background

In 1916, the American film industry was transitioning from short 'attractions' to more sophisticated narrative structures. The Keystone Film Company was at the height of its influence, defining the 'slapstick' genre for global audiences. Historically, this period saw the United States still maintaining neutrality during World War I, though the cultural landscape was rapidly changing with the rise of urban centers and the 'New Woman' entering the workforce—a theme satirized in the film through the wife's employment. The film also reflects the early 20th-century fascination with modern technology, featuring trolleys, automobiles, and telephones as central plot devices.

Making Of

The production of 'His Bread and Butter' was typical of the Mack Sennett 'fun factory' style, where gags were often improvised on the spot based on the available props and locations. Edward F. Cline, having worked as an actor and gag man at Keystone, was given the opportunity to direct by Sennett to see if he could handle the pacing of a two-reel comedy. The restaurant set was a recurring location in Keystone films, often redressed to save on production costs. Casting Slim Summerville as the antagonist provided a perfect visual foil for Hank Mann's frantic energy. The final chase sequence, a staple of Keystone comedies, involved real vehicles and was filmed on the streets of Edendale, often causing genuine confusion among local residents who weren't always aware a movie was being filmed.

Visual Style

Shot in the standard 1.33:1 aspect ratio of the era, the cinematography by K.C. MacLean focuses on wide shots to capture the full range of physical movement and 'business' performed by the actors. The use of deep focus allows for simultaneous action in the foreground and background, a technique Sennett favored to maximize the comedic potential of every frame. The film also utilizes early 'trick' photography for some of the more elaborate stunts and chase sequences.

Innovations

The film is notable for its well-choreographed chase sequence, which was a technical hallmark of the Keystone Studio. The coordination of multiple moving vehicles (cars, motorcycles, and trolleys) required precise timing and early stunt coordination. Additionally, the film's editing shows an increasing sophistication in 'cross-cutting' between the husband's jealousy and the wife's interactions with the boss to build comedic tension.

Music

As a silent film, 'His Bread and Butter' did not have a synchronized soundtrack. Original screenings would have been accompanied by a live pianist or organist playing popular ragtime tunes or standard 'hurry' music for the chase scenes. Modern restorations often feature newly composed scores that mimic the style of 1910s theater music.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening sequence where Hank Mann walks backward through a moving trolley while staring at his wife's photograph.
• The 'blindfolded billing game' in the restaurant that devolves into a food-throwing melee.
• The climactic bedroom scene where Slim Summerville hides under the bedsheets, only to have the husband and wife sit on him.
• The final high-speed chase involving a commandeered motorcycle and a stolen car through the dirt roads of early Los Angeles.

What Critics Said

At the time of its release, 'His Bread and Butter' was praised for its fast-paced action and the comedic chemistry of its leads. Trade journals like 'The Moving Picture World' noted the film's ability to sustain laughs throughout its two-reel duration. Modern critics and film historians view it as a crucial transitional piece that shows the evolution of slapstick into more structured situational comedy. It is often cited in retrospectives of the Keystone Film Company for its polished execution compared to the more chaotic shorts of 1912-1914.

What Audiences Thought

Contemporary audiences in 1916 received the film with great enthusiasm, as Keystone comedies were a guaranteed draw for nickelodeons and early movie palaces. The 'jealous husband' trope was a crowd favorite, and Hank Mann's performance was particularly well-regarded. Today, the film is enjoyed by silent cinema enthusiasts for its historical value and the timeless quality of its physical comedy.

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