His Wedding Night

Plot

In this 1917 silent comedy, gas station employees Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle and Al St. John are fierce rivals competing for the affection of the lovely Alice. The rivalry intensifies when Alice prepares for her wedding, leading to a series of comedic misunderstandings. When Buster Keaton arrives to deliver Alice's wedding gown, he playfully tries it on and begins modeling it, creating confusion when Al mistakes him for Alice. In a case of mistaken identity, Al kidnaps Buster believing he's abducting his romantic rival. The film culminates in a chaotic chase sequence with all three comedians involved in increasingly absurd situations typical of the slapstick era.

Historical Background

1917 was a significant year in both world history and cinema. The United States had just entered World War I in April, creating a climate where light entertainment and comedies became increasingly important as a form of escapism. The film industry was transitioning from the East Coast to Hollywood, with California establishing itself as the center of American film production. This was also the golden age of silent comedy, with stars like Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, and Roscoe Arbuckle dominating the box office. The two-reel comedy format was standard for theaters, which typically showed several shorts before the main feature. The automobile was becoming increasingly common in American life, making the gas station setting particularly contemporary and relatable for audiences of the time.

Making Of

The production of 'His Wedding Night' took place during a pivotal moment in comedy history, as the slapstick style was evolving from simple chase sequences to more sophisticated comedic situations. Arbuckle, who had complete creative control at Comique, encouraged improvisation from his co-stars, particularly the young Keaton, whose innovative ideas were increasingly incorporated into the films. The gas station set was built specifically for this production, with authentic pumps and equipment rented from a real service station. The wedding gown scene was reportedly Keaton's idea, and Arbuckle was initially hesitant but agreed after seeing how funny the deadpan comedian looked in the dress. The film was shot in just two days, typical of the rapid production schedule of the era, with most scenes requiring only one or two takes due to the actors' experience with physical comedy.

Visual Style

The cinematography by George Petersen (credited in some sources) follows the standard practices of 1917 comedy filmmaking, with relatively static camera positions and wide shots designed to capture the full range of physical comedy. The film uses medium shots for character interactions and close-ups sparingly, as was typical for the era. The gas station setting allowed for interesting compositional possibilities with the pumps, cars, and machinery creating geometric patterns in the frame. The wedding gown scene utilizes the full height of the frame to emphasize the absurdity of Keaton in the dress. The chase sequences employ the classic comedy technique of following the action laterally, keeping all performers in frame simultaneously.

Innovations

While not groundbreaking in technical terms, the film demonstrates the sophisticated editing techniques being developed for comedy by 1917. The cross-cutting between the rival characters builds tension effectively, and the timing of the gags shows an understanding of comedic rhythm that was advancing beyond the primitive chase comedies of earlier years. The use of the gas station setting required careful choreography of the physical comedy around potentially dangerous equipment. The film also makes effective use of continuity editing to maintain the logic of the mistaken identity plot, showing how comedy films were becoming more narratively sophisticated while retaining their visual humor.

Music

As a silent film, 'His Wedding Night' would have been accompanied by live musical performance in theaters. Typical accompaniment would have included a piano or small orchestra playing popular songs of the era along with classical pieces adapted to match the on-screen action. The wedding scene would likely have been accompanied by wedding marches like Wagner's 'Bridal Chorus' or Mendelssohn's 'Wedding March' played for comedic effect. The chase sequences would have featured fast-paced, ragtime-inspired music. Modern restorations of the film are often accompanied by newly composed scores by silent film specialists or period-appropriate compiled scores using music from the 1910s.

Memorable Scenes

• The iconic wedding gown modeling scene where Buster Keaton tries on the dress and poses with deadpan seriousness, creating a hilarious contrast between the feminine attire and his stone-faced expression. This scene became one of Keaton's most referenced early gags and demonstrated his unique approach to physical comedy.
• The chaotic kidnapping sequence where Al St. John abducts Keaton thinking he's Alice, leading to a struggle between the two comedians while Arbuckle attempts to intervene, creating a three-way physical comedy routine that showcases their individual styles.
• The opening gas station sequence where Arbuckle and St. John compete to help customers, using automobile parts and equipment as props in increasingly elaborate ways to sabotage each other while trying to impress Alice.

What Critics Said

Contemporary reviews in trade publications like Variety and Moving Picture World praised the film for its inventive gags and the chemistry between the performers. Critics particularly noted Buster Keaton's growing screen presence and his unique comedic style, which differed from the more exaggerated performances common in the era. Modern film historians consider this film an important example of early Keaton work and a significant Arbuckle-directed comedy. The film is often cited in studies of silent comedy as demonstrating the evolution from simple slapstick toward more sophisticated comedic situations. Critics have pointed out that the gas station setting shows how comedy films were beginning to incorporate contemporary American life rather than relying on theatrical or period settings.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences in 1917 responded enthusiastically to the film, particularly enjoying the escalating absurdity of the mistaken identity plot and the physical comedy involving all three performers. The wedding gown scene became a talking point among moviegoers, with many considering it one of the funniest gags they had seen. The film was popular enough to warrant wide distribution across the United States and even some international markets. Contemporary audience letters to film magazines often mentioned the Arbuckle-Keaton collaborations as among their favorite comedies. Modern audiences viewing the film at silent film festivals and in revival screenings continue to appreciate the physical comedy and the early glimpse of Keaton's genius.

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