The Joneses Have Amateur Theatricals
"The acting bug bites the Joneses with hilarious results!"
Plot
The Joneses Have Amateur Theatricals follows the misadventures of the recurring 'Jones' family characters as they host a meeting for their local amateur dramatic society. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jones become hopelessly enchanted by the 'acting bug,' leading to a series of comedic rehearsals where they attempt to outshine one another in dramatic flair. The plot reaches a peak of absurdity when Mr. Jones, fully immersed in a romantic role, is caught in a compromisingly theatrical embrace by his wife, who misinterprets the performance for reality. The film concludes with the typical chaotic domestic resolution characteristic of the Biograph 'Jonesy' series, highlighting the era's fascination with the blurring lines between stage performance and middle-class life.
About the Production
This film was produced during D.W. Griffith's incredibly prolific first year at Biograph, where he was directing nearly two to three films per week. It was released as a 'split-reel,' meaning it shared a 1,000-foot reel with another short film titled 'The Hindoo Dagger.' The production utilized the standard Biograph stock company, which functioned as a tight-knit ensemble where actors frequently assisted with props and costumes between takes.
Historical Background
In 1909, the American film industry was transitioning from 'cinema of attractions' (short, novelty clips) to narrative storytelling. The 'Jones' series reflected the rise of the American middle class and their domestic anxieties, often satirizing social clubs, hobbies, and household management. This was also the year the Motion Picture Patents Company (the 'Trust') was fully operational, attempting to monopolize the industry, which forced studios like Biograph to produce content at a breakneck pace to satisfy the demand of the rapidly growing nickelodeon theaters.
Why This Film Matters
The film is a significant early example of the 'domestic comedy' genre. By using recurring characters like the Joneses, Biograph helped foster the first 'movie stars,' even though they weren't yet named in the credits. Audiences began to recognize Florence Lawrence and John R. Cumpson, asking for 'the Jones man' or 'the Biograph girl' at the box office, which directly led to the birth of the Star System in Hollywood. Furthermore, it captures the early 20th-century social phenomenon of 'Amateur Theatricals,' which were a primary form of community entertainment before the cinema itself became dominant.
Making Of
The production was filmed at Biograph’s 14th Street studio in Manhattan. D.W. Griffith worked closely with cinematographer G.W. 'Billy' Bitzer to refine the 'Biograph style,' which emphasized naturalistic acting over the exaggerated pantomime common in early film. Because the 'Jones' films were so popular, the cast—led by John R. Cumpson and Florence Lawrence—developed a shorthand for their characters, allowing Griffith to shoot these comedies with minimal rehearsal. The set for the Jones' residence was a recurring backdrop at the studio, slightly redressed for each installment to maintain a sense of continuity for the audience.
Visual Style
Shot by the legendary G.W. 'Billy' Bitzer, the film uses a static camera position typical of 1909, but with a clear, deep-focus frame that allows multiple comedic actions to happen simultaneously. Bitzer's lighting was relatively flat, as was standard for the time, but his framing ensured that the physical comedy of the 'acting' within the film was perfectly captured without the need for close-ups.
Innovations
The film demonstrates Griffith's early mastery of 'continuity of action' within a single room. While it doesn't feature the revolutionary editing techniques Griffith would later invent (like the close-up or cross-cutting for suspense), it shows a sophisticated use of the 'proscenium' space to tell a complex narrative involving multiple characters in a very short runtime.
Music
As a silent film, there was no recorded soundtrack. It would have been accompanied by a live pianist or organist in the theater, likely playing popular ragtime or light classical 'hurry' music during the more chaotic rehearsal scenes.
Famous Quotes
Intertitle: The acting bug bites the Joneses.
Intertitle: Mr. Jones proves a success as a stage lover.
Memorable Scenes
- The scene where Mr. Jones practices his 'dramatic' death scene, much to the confusion of his household staff.
- The climax where Mrs. Jones enters the room and sees her husband in a passionate (but purely theatrical) embrace with another woman, leading to a frantic chase around the living room furniture.
Did You Know?
- This is one of several films in the popular 'Jones' series (often called the 'Jonesy' series) produced by Biograph between 1908 and 1909.
- Florence Lawrence, who plays Mrs. Jones, was known at the time only as 'The Biograph Girl' because the studio did not yet credit actors by name.
- The film was released on a split-reel alongside the drama 'The Hindoo Dagger' to provide a balanced program of comedy and suspense for nickelodeon audiences.
- Director D.W. Griffith actually began his career as a stage actor and playwright, making the theme of 'amateur theatricals' a meta-commentary on his own background.
- Mack Sennett, who would later found Keystone Studios and become the 'King of Comedy,' appears in a small role as a member of the theatre troupe.
- The film's length was exactly 400 feet of 35mm film.
- Linda Arvidson, who plays the maid, was D.W. Griffith's wife in real life, though their marriage was kept secret from the studio at the time.
- The 'Jones' series is considered one of the earliest examples of a recurring character sitcom in cinematic history.
What Critics Said
At the time of its release, 'The Moving Picture World' (a leading trade journal) praised it as 'really one of the funniest of the Jones Series.' Critics noted that John R. Cumpson was a 'grand success as a lover' in his theatrical role within the film. Modern film historians view it as a charming artifact of Griffith's apprenticeship, showcasing his ability to handle ensemble comedy and domestic pacing before he moved on to the epic dramas that defined his later career.
What Audiences Thought
The 'Jones' films were immensely popular with nickelodeon audiences, who enjoyed the relatable, slapstick-lite domestic squabbles. The character of Mr. Jones was seen as a lovable everyman whose social ambitions often outpaced his abilities, a trope that resonated with the urban working and middle classes of the era.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- French 'Max Linder' comedies
- Vaudeville sketches
- Victorian parlor theatricals
This Film Influenced
- The Honeymooners
- I Love Lucy
- Modern domestic sitcoms
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Film Restoration
Preserved. A 35mm positive print and the original paper print (used for copyright purposes) are held in the Library of Congress's Paper Print Collection. It has been restored and is occasionally screened in D.W. Griffith retrospectives.