Wished on Mabel
Plot
Mabel Normand and her mother, played by Alice Davenport, are enjoying a pleasant day in the park when Mabel spots her boyfriend Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle. She enthusiastically invites him to join them, though the young lovers are clearly eager for some private time away from parental supervision. Through a series of comedic maneuvers, they manage to slip away from the mother's watchful eye to enjoy some romantic moments together. While they are distracted with their courtship, Mabel's mother is left alone and vulnerable, subsequently becoming the victim of a robbery by a thief who takes advantage of her isolation. The film follows the ensuing comedic chaos as the couple discovers the theft and must deal with both the criminal situation and the mother's reaction to being abandoned and robbed.
About the Production
This film was part of the prolific output of Keystone Studios during their peak years of comedy production. Like many shorts of this era, it was likely filmed quickly in just a few days to meet the demanding release schedule of the studio. The park setting was either filmed on location at a public park in Los Angeles or more likely on Keystone's backlot where they had constructed various outdoor sets to simulate public spaces. The film represents the collaborative relationship between Arbuckle and Normand, who frequently worked together both on screen and behind the scenes during this period.
Historical Background
1915 was a pivotal year in American cinema, occurring during the transition from short films to feature-length movies. The film industry was consolidating in Hollywood, with studios like Keystone establishing the factory-like production system that would dominate for decades. This was the height of the silent comedy era, with physical humor being the universal language that transcended cultural barriers in an increasingly global film market. The year also saw the release of D.W. Griffith's controversial but influential 'The Birth of a Nation,' which was changing perceptions of what cinema could achieve artistically. Meanwhile, World War I was raging in Europe, though America remained neutral until 1917, allowing the film industry to continue its rapid growth. The comedy of Arbuckle and Normand provided escapist entertainment for audiences dealing with the social changes of the Progressive Era, including women's suffrage movements and shifting social mores about courtship and relationships.
Why This Film Matters
'Wished on Mabel' represents an important example of the early American comedy style that would influence generations of filmmakers. The film showcases the collaborative dynamic between male and female comedy performers that was relatively progressive for its time, with Mabel Normand being an equal partner to Arbuckle rather than merely a romantic interest or comic foil. The park setting and romantic elements reflect the changing social dynamics of courtship in the 1910s, when young people were gaining more freedom in their relationships. As part of the Keystone Studios output, the film contributed to establishing the visual language of slapstick comedy that would be refined by later comedians like Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd. The preservation of such films provides valuable insight into early 20th-century American culture, including fashion, social etiquette, and entertainment preferences. The Arbuckle-Normand partnership also demonstrated that audiences would accept women as active comedic protagonists, helping pave the way for future female comedy performers.
Making Of
The production of 'Wished on Mabel' took place during a particularly creative and productive period at Keystone Studios. Roscoe Arbuckle, who directed as well as starred, was developing his distinctive style of physical comedy that combined his large frame with surprising agility. Mabel Normand, one of the few women with significant creative power in early Hollywood, likely contributed to the film's development beyond just her acting performance. The park setting would have been carefully chosen or constructed to maximize opportunities for slapstick comedy while maintaining the romantic elements of the story. Like all Keystone productions of this era, the film would have been shot quickly with minimal takes, relying on the performers' improvisational skills and established comic timing. The collaboration between Arbuckle and Normand was particularly fruitful, as they understood each other's comic sensibilities from working together on numerous previous projects.
Visual Style
The cinematography of 'Wished on Mabel' would have been characteristic of Keystone Studios' efficient style during this period. The camera would have been relatively static by modern standards, positioned to capture the full range of physical comedy without excessive movement that might distract from the performers. The park setting would have been filmed in natural light when possible, typical of the outdoor scenes in many Keystone productions. The film would have been shot in black and white on 35mm film, with the cinematographer focusing on ensuring that the actors' expressions and movements were clearly visible to the audience. The framing would have been relatively wide to accommodate the physical comedy, with closer shots reserved for emotional moments or important reactions. The visual style prioritized clarity and functionality over artistic experimentation, reflecting the industrial approach to filmmaking at Keystone Studios.
Innovations
While 'Wished on Mabel' does not represent major technical innovations in cinema, it demonstrates the refinement of established filmmaking techniques by 1915. The film would have utilized the continuity editing system that was becoming standardized in American cinema, ensuring smooth narrative flow between scenes. The physical comedy required precise timing and coordination between performers and camera, demonstrating the growing sophistication of comedic filmmaking. The park setting may have involved location shooting, which presented technical challenges in terms of lighting and equipment transport that studios were increasingly solving during this period. The film's brief runtime reflects the industry's understanding of audience attention spans and the optimal length for comedy shorts. The preservation of the film itself represents a technical achievement, as many films from this era have been lost due to the unstable nature of early film stock and lack of systematic preservation efforts.
Music
As a silent film, 'Wished on Mabel' would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its theatrical run. The specific musical accompaniment would have varied by theater size and resources, ranging from a single piano player in smaller venues to a small orchestra in larger movie palaces. The music would have been selected from existing classical pieces, popular songs, and specially composed cue sheets that were distributed to theaters to suggest appropriate music for different scenes. Comedic moments would have been accompanied by lively, upbeat music, while the romantic scenes would have featured more melodic, sentimental pieces. The robbery sequence would have called for more dramatic or suspenseful music to heighten the tension. The musical accompaniment was crucial to the silent film experience, providing emotional context and helping to guide audience reactions to the on-screen action.
Famous Quotes
As a silent film, 'Wished on Mabel' contained no spoken dialogue, but would have featured intertitle cards such as: 'Oh Mother, there's Fatty!' and 'While the lovers are away... the thief will play!'
Memorable Scenes
- The opening sequence where Mabel spots Roscoe in the park and enthusiastically waves him over, establishing their romantic relationship and her eagerness to include him in their outing. The clever sequence where the lovers manage to slip away from the mother's supervision, utilizing physical comedy and misdirection typical of the Keystone style. The robbery scene where the mother, left alone and vulnerable, becomes the victim of theft, creating the central conflict that drives the second half of the film. The discovery sequence where the couple returns to find what has happened, likely featuring exaggerated reactions and frantic attempts to deal with the situation.
Did You Know?
- This film was released during the peak of the popularity of both Roscoe Arbuckle and Mabel Normand, who were two of the biggest comedy stars of the mid-1910s.
- The film was part of Keystone Studios' massive 1915 output, which saw the studio producing hundreds of short comedy films.
- Mabel Normand was not just the star but also had some creative control over her films during this period, unusual for women in the film industry at the time.
- Alice Davenport, who plays Mabel's mother, was a prolific character actress who appeared in over 300 films between 1911 and 1935.
- The film's title 'Wished on Mabel' plays on the common phrase 'wished on' and the star's name, a typical pun approach to titling comedy shorts of the era.
- This was one of many collaborations between Arbuckle and Normand, who had excellent on-screen chemistry and were frequent co-stars.
- The park setting was a common location for comedy shorts of this era, allowing for physical comedy and interaction with various characters.
- Like most films of 1915, this was a silent film with intertitles for dialogue and narrative exposition.
- The film was likely shot on 35mm film, which was the standard for professional film production during this period.
- Keystone Studios was known for their fast production schedule, often completing a short comedy in just 2-3 days from start to finish.
What Critics Said
Contemporary critical reception for short comedy films like 'Wished on Mabel' was typically limited to brief mentions in trade papers rather than detailed reviews. The film industry trade publication Variety would have noted its release and possibly commented on its entertainment value for theater owners. Like most Keystone productions of this period, it would have been judged primarily on its ability to generate laughs and satisfy audiences looking for brief amusement between feature presentations. Modern film historians view these Arbuckle-Normand collaborations as important examples of early American comedy, appreciating their physical inventiveness and the chemistry between the leads. The film is generally regarded as a solid example of the Keystone style rather than a groundbreaking work, but it demonstrates the craftsmanship and entertainment value that made the studio successful during this period.
What Audiences Thought
Audiences in 1915 generally received films like 'Wished on Mabel' enthusiastically, as the combination of Arbuckle's physical comedy and Normand's charm was a proven formula for success. The film would have played in theaters as part of a varied program that might include newsreels, other short comedies, and possibly a feature film. Moviegoers of the era particularly enjoyed the park setting, which provided relatable situations and opportunities for the kind of visual humor that worked well in silent format. The romantic elements would have appealed to the growing number of young people attending movies as a social activity. The robbery subplot added an element of danger and excitement that balanced the comedy and romance, creating a well-rounded entertainment experience. Audience reactions were typically immediate and vocal in theaters of this period, with laughter and applause providing immediate feedback to the effectiveness of the comedy.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- French and Italian comedies of the early 1910s
- Vaudeville and stage comedy traditions
- Mack Sennett's Keystone comedy formula
- Previous Arbuckle-Normand collaborations
- Chaplin's early work at Keystone
This Film Influenced
- Later Arbuckle-Normand collaborations
- Other Keystone Studios comedies
- Romantic comedy shorts of the late 1910s
- Early films by comedians who learned from Keystone style
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Film Restoration
The preservation status of 'Wished on Mabel' (1915) is somewhat unclear, which is unfortunately common for films of this era. Many Keystone Studios shorts have been lost due to the unstable nature of early nitrate film stock and lack of systematic preservation efforts. However, some Arbuckle-Normand collaborations from this period have survived in archives or private collections. The film may exist in incomplete form or only as fragments. The Library of Congress, the Museum of Modern Art, and other major film archives would be the most likely repositories for any surviving copies. Restoration efforts for surviving silent films continue to this day, so previously thought lost films occasionally reappear. Anyone interested in viewing this specific film should check with major film archives or specialized silent film collections.