What's Your Hurry?
Plot
In this early comedy short, a proud father receives a shotgun as his birthday present and eagerly shows it off. His daughter Mary is excited to introduce her boyfriend Harry to the family, but when Harry arrives and sees Papa walking in with the shotgun, he mistakenly believes he's being threatened and flees in terror. The comedy escalates as Harry continues to encounter Papa in various locations around town, each time running away in panic while the bewildered father grows increasingly confused by the young man's behavior. Finally, Papa catches Harry and drags him back home to demand an explanation, leading to a humorous reunion between Harry and Mary when the misunderstanding is finally cleared up.
About the Production
This was one of approximately 45 films D.W. Griffith directed for Biograph in 1909 alone, during his incredibly prolific early period. The film was shot on 35mm film in black and white, typical of Biograph productions. Like most shorts of this era, it was likely filmed in just one or two days with minimal rehearsal time.
Historical Background
1909 was a pivotal year in American cinema history. The film industry was transitioning from novelty shorts to more sophisticated narrative storytelling. D.W. Griffith was at the forefront of this evolution, developing many of the cinematic techniques that would become standard in filmmaking. This was during the Nickelodeon era, where short films like this were the main attraction in small storefront theaters. The Progressive Era was in full swing in America, with changing social attitudes reflected in the films of the period. Motion pictures were still considered a lower form of entertainment by the cultural elite, but were rapidly gaining popularity among working and middle-class audiences. The Biograph Company, where this film was produced, was one of the most respected production companies of the time, known for their technical quality and innovative approach to filmmaking.
Why This Film Matters
While 'What's Your Hurry?' may seem simple by modern standards, it represents important developments in early American comedy cinema. The film demonstrates the emerging narrative sophistication of D.W. Griffith's direction, moving away from the simple 'cinema of attractions' toward character-driven storytelling. The misunderstanding plot device would become a cornerstone of romantic comedy, influencing countless future films. The film also captures early 20th century American family dynamics and courtship rituals, providing a valuable cultural document of the period. As an early vehicle for Mary Pickford, it marks the beginning of her journey to becoming one of the most influential figures in film history. The film's preservation and study helps us understand the evolution of cinematic language and comedy techniques that would define Hollywood for decades.
Making Of
The making of 'What's Your Hurry?' was typical of the factory-like production system at Biograph under Griffith's direction. The company operated out of their studio in Fort Lee, New Jersey, which was then the center of American film production before the industry moved to Hollywood. Griffith was developing his directorial techniques during this period, experimenting with camera movement, cross-cutting, and narrative structure. The cast would have rehearsed briefly before shooting, with Griffith often improvising scenes on set. Mary Pickford, though still a teenager, was already showing the star quality that would make her famous. The film was likely shot in sequence with minimal takes due to the expensive film stock and tight production schedules. The outdoor scenes were filmed in the New York/New Jersey area, taking advantage of natural locations before studio backlots became common.
Visual Style
The cinematography in 'What's Your Hurry?' reflects the technical standards of Biograph productions in 1909. The film was shot by G.W. Bitzer, Griffith's regular cameraman, using stationary cameras typical of the period. The lighting was primarily natural, either outdoors or through the glass walls of Biograph's studio. The camera work is functional rather than artistic, with medium shots dominating to capture the actors' expressions and movements. There are no close-ups, as that technique was not yet widely used. The composition follows the theatrical tradition of keeping the entire action within the frame. The film was shot on 35mm film at approximately 16 frames per second, the standard speed of the era.
Innovations
While 'What's Your Hurry?' does not feature major technical innovations, it represents the solid technical standards of Biograph productions in 1909. The film demonstrates the growing sophistication of narrative construction in early cinema, with clear cause-and-effect storytelling. The editing, while basic by modern standards, shows Griffith's developing sense of rhythm and pacing in comedy. The film's continuity and clear narrative progression were achievements for the period, when many films still suffered from confusing storytelling. The use of multiple locations, while simple, shows the expanding scope of film production beyond single-set scenarios. The film's preservation of visual clarity and consistent exposure reflects Biograph's reputation for technical excellence in the early film industry.
Music
As a silent film, 'What's Your Hurry?' had no synchronized soundtrack. During its theatrical run, musical accompaniment would have been provided live in the theater, typically by a pianist or small ensemble. The music would have been selected from standard compilations of popular and classical pieces, with the accompanist choosing appropriate music to match the mood of each scene - upbeat tunes for the comedy, suspenseful music for the chase sequences, and romantic themes for the reunion. No specific score was composed for this film, as individualized film scores would not become common until the late 1920s.
Famous Quotes
No recorded dialogue - silent film with intertitles that have not been preserved in common documentation
Memorable Scenes
- The climactic scene where Harry repeatedly encounters Papa with the shotgun in various locations, each time fleeing in panic while the bewildered father grows increasingly confused by these strange encounters, culminating in Papa physically dragging Harry back to the house for an explanation.
Did You Know?
- This film showcases Mary Pickford in her early career before she became known as 'America's Sweetheart' and one of the most powerful women in Hollywood.
- D.W. Griffith directed 45 films for Biograph in 1909 alone, averaging nearly one film per week.
- The shotgun prop used in the film was likely a real firearm, as safety regulations for film props were virtually non-existent in 1909.
- George Nichols, who plays the father, was the father of famous director Jack Nichols and appeared in over 200 films between 1908-1930.
- Kate Bruce, who appears in the cast, would become one of Griffith's favorite character actresses, appearing in many of his major works including 'The Birth of a Nation'.
- The film was released during the period when Biograph was transitioning from their unique 68mm format to the industry-standard 35mm.
- Like most Biograph films of this era, it was likely shot in natural light either outdoors or in glass-enclosed studios.
- The title 'What's Your Hurry?' was a common phrase in early 20th century America, often used to tell someone to slow down or be patient.
- This film represents early examples of the chase comedy genre that would become extremely popular in silent cinema.
- The misunderstanding trope used in this film would become a staple of romantic comedy cinema for decades to come.
What Critics Said
Contemporary critical reception for short films like 'What's Your Hurry?' was limited, as film criticism as we know it today did not exist in 1909. Reviews, if any, appeared in trade publications like The Moving Picture World or Variety, which focused more on commercial viability than artistic merit. The film was likely noted as a competent comedy short suitable for Biograph's usual programming. Modern film historians and scholars view this film as an example of Griffith's early work and development as a director, particularly his handling of comedy and narrative structure. It's studied today more for its historical significance and as part of Griffith's enormous 1909 output rather than for its individual artistic achievements.
What Audiences Thought
Audiences in 1909 would have received 'What's Your Hurry?' as an entertaining comedy short, typical of the fare shown in Nickelodeon theaters. The simple premise and physical comedy would have been easily understood and appreciated by audiences of diverse backgrounds and literacy levels. The film's brief runtime made it perfect for the mixed programming of the era, where multiple shorts would be shown in one sitting. The presence of Mary Pickford, even before she achieved major stardom, would have been a draw for regular Biograph filmgoers. The misunderstanding plot would have generated laughs and been considered successful if it kept the audience engaged for its entire duration.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- Stage comedy traditions
- Vaudeville routines
- Earlier Biograph comedy shorts
- French comedy films of the era
This Film Influenced
- Later chase comedy shorts
- Mack Sennett's Keystone comedies
- Harold Lloyd comedy shorts
- Early romantic comedy features
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Film Restoration
The film is believed to be preserved in film archives, likely including the Library of Congress and Museum of Modern Art collections, as part of the extensive Biograph film holdings. However, like many films from this era, it may exist only in incomplete or deteriorated copies. The film is part of the public domain due to its age.