What's the World Coming To?
"A Hundred Years From Now - Will Men Be the Fair Sex?"
Plot
In this prophetic silent comedy short, the film presents a vision of life one hundred years in the future (2026) where society has undergone a complete transformation. Men's fashion has reverted to Regency-era styles with tight breeches and powdered wigs, while traditional gender roles have been completely inverted. Clyde Cook plays a bewildered husband who must stay home alone, tending to domestic duties while his wife, played by Katherine Grant, enjoys a night out on the town, socializing and flirting with other men. The comedy escalates as the husband experiences the anxieties and frustrations typically reserved for wives of the era, including jealousy and helplessness when his wife returns late and behaves mysteriously. James Finlayson appears in a supporting role, adding to the comedic chaos as the future society's norms clash with 1920s sensibilities.
About the Production
This film was part of Hal Roach's series of comedy shorts that explored social themes through satire. The production used elaborate costumes to create the Regency-meets-future aesthetic, with costume designers creating hybrid outfits that combined 1920s futurism with early 19th-century elements. The film was shot on interior sets designed to represent the futuristic home of 2026, complete with imagined technological advances and domestic arrangements that emphasized the role reversal theme.
Historical Background
The film was produced during a period of tremendous social upheaval in America, as the 1920s saw women gaining the right to vote (1920), entering the workforce in unprecedented numbers, and adopting more independent lifestyles. The 'flapper' phenomenon represented a new kind of woman who challenged traditional gender norms. This film tapped into the anxieties and fascinations surrounding these changes, using humor to explore what might happen if gender roles were completely inverted. The year 1926 was also the peak of the silent film era, just before 'The Jazz Singer' would revolutionize cinema with sound in 1927. Hal Roach Studios was at its creative zenith, producing numerous comedy shorts that commented on contemporary life while entertaining audiences with slapstick and situational comedy.
Why This Film Matters
While not as well-remembered as some other silent comedies, 'What's the World Coming To?' represents an early example of cinema using speculative fiction to comment on gender politics. The film's premise of complete gender role reversal was remarkably progressive for its time, suggesting that traditional domestic arrangements were not immutable. This approach anticipated later feminist comedies and films that would explore similar themes with more explicit commentary. The film also serves as a valuable time capsule of 1920s attitudes toward gender and social change, capturing both the fascination with and fear of women's increasing independence. Its existence demonstrates that even in the seemingly simple format of comedy shorts, filmmakers were engaging with complex social questions and using humor as a vehicle for social commentary.
Making Of
The production of 'What's the World Coming To?' took advantage of Hal Roach Studios' reputation for allowing creative freedom in exploring contemporary social issues through comedy. The film's concept was likely inspired by the rapidly changing social dynamics of the 1920s, as more women entered the workforce and gained independence. Clyde Cook, though not as famous as some of Roach's other stars, was given the opportunity to showcase his range in a leading role that required both physical comedy and subtle reactions to the role-reversal scenario. The costume department faced the unique challenge of creating futuristic outfits that would still be recognizable as comedy to 1926 audiences, leading to the decision to blend Regency-era elements with imagined future fashion. The film was shot quickly, as was typical for Roach shorts, with most scenes completed in one or two takes to maintain the spontaneous feel of the comedy.
Visual Style
The film utilized standard silent era cinematography techniques but employed creative camera work to emphasize the comedy of the role reversal situation. The cinematographer used medium shots to capture the actors' facial expressions, particularly important for conveying the husband's growing frustration and the wife's carefree attitude. Interior shots of the futuristic home were lit to create a slightly artificial, otherworldly atmosphere that supported the film's speculative premise. The camera work during scenes of the wife's night out employed more dynamic movement to contrast with the static, domestic scenes of the husband at home.
Innovations
While not groundbreaking in technical terms, the film demonstrated effective use of existing silent film techniques to tell its story. The costume design represented a notable achievement in creating a believable futuristic aesthetic that still worked for comedy. The production design successfully created the illusion of a future home while maintaining the practical needs of a comedy set. The film's editing effectively balanced the parallel storylines of the husband at home and the wife out on the town, using cross-cutting to build comedic tension and contrast the different experiences of the characters.
Music
As a silent film, 'What's the World Coming To?' would have been accompanied by live musical performance in theaters. The typical score would have included popular songs of 1926 along with classical pieces adapted to fit the mood of various scenes. For the domestic scenes, lighter, more whimsical music would have been used, while the wife's night out would have been accompanied by jazz-age tunes that reflected the liberated spirit of the Roaring Twenties. The musical accompaniment would have been crucial in establishing the film's comedic tone and helping audiences understand the emotional states of the characters.
Famous Quotes
'In the year 2026, men will stay home while women go out!' - Intertitle
'A hundred years from now, who will be the fair sex?' - Opening title card
Memorable Scenes
- The opening sequence showing the transformation from 1926 to 2026 with fashion changes
- Clyde Cook's character attempting domestic chores with comedic frustration
- Katherine Grant's character preparing for her night out while her husband waits at home
- The husband's reaction to his wife returning late with suspicious behavior
Did You Know?
- This film was remarkably prescient in its gender role reversal theme, anticipating later feminist comedies by decades
- Clyde Cook, an Australian comedian, was one of Hal Roach's reliable character actors known for his expressive face and physical comedy
- Katherine Grant was married to comedy legend Harold Lloyd at the time this film was made
- James Finlayson would later become famous as a regular in Laurel and Hardy comedies, known for his exasperated double-takes and 'D'oh!' exclamations
- The film's vision of 2026 fashion incorrectly predicted a return to Regency styles rather than the actual casual fashion that would prevail
- Director Richard Wallace would later direct feature films and work with major stars like Barbara Stanwyck and Gary Cooper
- The film was released during the height of the Roaring Twenties, when traditional gender roles were already beginning to be questioned
- This was one of the few films to explicitly tackle gender role reversal during the silent era
- The film's title became something of a catchphrase during the 1920s for expressing shock at social changes
- Hal Roach Studios was known as 'The Lot of Fun' and produced many of the era's most successful comedy shorts
What Critics Said
Contemporary reviews praised the film's clever premise and the performances of its cast. The Motion Picture News noted that 'the gender reversal theme provides ample opportunity for comedy while making a subtle point about modern life.' Variety appreciated Cook's performance, stating that 'the Australian comedian proves he can carry a short with his expressive reactions to the absurd situations.' Modern critics have rediscovered the film as an example of early feminist-leaning comedy, with silent film historians noting its surprisingly progressive perspective on gender roles. The film is often cited in discussions of how silent cinema addressed social issues through the seemingly safe medium of comedy.
What Audiences Thought
Audiences of 1926 reportedly enjoyed the film's humorous take on gender roles, finding both the situation and the costumes entertaining. The film performed well in theaters as part of comedy short programs, which were popular attractions before feature presentations. Modern audiences who have seen the film through revival screenings or archives often express surprise at how contemporary the themes feel, noting that the gender role reversal premise remains relevant. The film has developed a cult following among silent film enthusiasts who appreciate its social commentary alongside its comedy value.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- Contemporary 1920s social changes
- Early feminist literature
- Speculative fiction of the era
- Domestic comedy traditions
This Film Influenced
- Later gender-swap comedies
- Feminist comedy films of subsequent decades
- Television sitcoms exploring role reversal
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Film Restoration
The film survives in archives and has been preserved by film preservation organizations. While not widely available on home media, it exists in film archives and has been screened at silent film festivals and revival houses. Some versions may be incomplete or show signs of deterioration typical of films from this era.