Wife and Auto Trouble

Plot

Wife and Auto Trouble follows the comedic misadventures of a henpecked husband who desperately wants to purchase an automobile against his wife's wishes. When he secretly buys a car, his domineering wife and equally formidable mother-in-law create chaos that leads to a series of misunderstandings with law enforcement. The situation escalates as the man tries to hide his new possession while dealing with his family's interference, resulting in a series of slapstick mishaps typical of silent comedy. The film culminates in a chaotic confrontation where the husband must face both his family and the authorities, ultimately learning a lesson about honesty and marital harmony.

Historical Background

Wife and Auto Trouble was produced during a transformative period in American cinema and society. The year 1916 saw the United States on the brink of entering World War I, though the film itself avoids any wartime references. This was the height of the silent film era, with comedy shorts being a staple of theater programs. The automobile was rapidly changing American life, moving from a luxury item to a more common possession, which made it a perfect subject for comedy. The film reflects the changing domestic dynamics of the era, as women's roles were evolving and the traditional family structure was being questioned. The Triangle Film Corporation, which released this film through its Fine Arts division, was at its peak in 1916, representing one of the first vertically integrated Hollywood studios.

Making Of

The production of Wife and Auto Trouble was typical of the efficient studio system of the 1910s. Director Dell Henderson, having learned his craft under D.W. Griffith, brought a polished visual style to even these short comedies. The cast worked quickly, often completing multiple shorts in a single week. The automobile used in the film was likely provided by a local dealership, a common practice for product placement even in early cinema. The physical comedy required careful choreography, especially for scenes involving the car, which could be dangerous for the performers. Blanche Payson's imposing stature (she was notably tall for the era) made her perfect for the domineering wife role, and she developed a reputation for being able to intimidate her male co-stars both on and off screen.

Visual Style

The cinematography in Wife and Auto Trouble was typical of professional studio productions of 1916. The film was likely shot on 35mm film with natural lighting when possible, supplemented by artificial studio lighting. Camera work was relatively static, as was common in the era, with the camera positioned to capture the full action in medium shots. The composition followed the theatrical tradition of keeping important elements in the center of the frame. Any chase sequences involving the automobile would have required more dynamic camera movement, possibly using tracking shots that were becoming more sophisticated by this time. The visual style prioritized clarity of action over artistic flourishes, ensuring audiences could follow the physical comedy easily.

Innovations

While Wife and Auto Trouble was not a groundbreaking technical achievement, it represents the solid craftsmanship of studio productions in 1916. The film demonstrates the effective use of editing for comedic timing, a skill that was becoming more sophisticated in this period. The coordination required for scenes involving the automobile showed the growing complexity of film production. The film was likely shot on the relatively new panchromatic film stock that was becoming standard, offering better tonal range than earlier orthochromatic film. The production also benefited from the improved lighting equipment available in studio settings by the mid-1910s.

Music

As a silent film, Wife and Auto Trouble had no recorded soundtrack but would have been accompanied by live music in theaters. Theaters typically received cue sheets suggesting appropriate musical pieces for different scenes. For a comedy like this, the music would have been light and upbeat, possibly using popular songs of the era or classical pieces arranged for smaller theater orchestras. The musical accompaniment would have emphasized the comedic timing, with stinger chords for slapstick moments and romantic themes for marital scenes. The score might have included automobile-related sound effects created by the theater's sound effects specialist or percussionist.

Memorable Scenes

• The scene where the husband tries to hide his new automobile from his wife and mother-in-law, resulting in a chaotic chase around the property, exemplifying the physical comedy style of the era

What Critics Said

Contemporary reviews of Wife and Auto Trouble were generally positive, with trade publications like Variety and The Moving Picture World praising its comedic timing and relatable premise. Critics noted that while the plot was formulaic, the execution was solid and the performances, particularly Blanche Payson's domineering wife, were effective. Modern critics viewing the film through the lens of film history appreciate it as a representative example of the domestic comedy genre of the 1910s, though few consider it a standout work of the era. The film is often mentioned in discussions of Dell Henderson's directorial work and William Collier Sr.'s screen career.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences of 1916 responded well to Wife and Auto Trouble, as it tapped into common experiences and anxieties about marital relationships and new technology. The relatable premise of a husband wanting something his wife disapproves of resonated with viewers, and the slapstick elements provided the physical comedy that silent film audiences craved. The film's short length made it perfect for theater programs that included multiple shorts before the feature presentation. While specific box office figures are not available, the film's successful release through the Triangle Corporation suggests it performed adequately in theaters. Modern audiences encountering the film in retrospectives or archives often find it charming as a time capsule of early 20th-century humor and social dynamics.

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