This is another delightful early one-reeler from Charley Chase's period of "Jimmie Jump" comedies (here is he apparently not James but Jamison Jump). The title is characteristic of what seems like dozens of H. M. Walker titles from Hal Roach studios in the mid to late twenties which were all interrogative sentences involving marriage. This one is a great comedy take on something that was having a real effect on the middle class at the time, and Chase was one of the few real middle class comedians operating.
The concept is that Charley and his wife Katherine Grant, who is great here and, as always, not just a comedy foil for Chase but a real partner, have amassed enough to hire a maid -- but once they do it causes more trouble for them than it relieves. Charley is sometimes called a master of "social comedy," and the comedy here is very social despite being free from the complexities of some of his plots. It's an extended and effective pantomime of the embarrassment inherent in having a maid around and not knowing how to act around her. The final shot setting up the punchline is really visually memorable as well.
Once again Charley Chase shows that as much as he would later become a master of the two-reeler, he had no trouble fitting a great blend of social comment, excellent gags, character, and situation in one little ten minute reel.
The concept is that Charley and his wife Katherine Grant, who is great here and, as always, not just a comedy foil for Chase but a real partner, have amassed enough to hire a maid -- but once they do it causes more trouble for them than it relieves. Charley is sometimes called a master of "social comedy," and the comedy here is very social despite being free from the complexities of some of his plots. It's an extended and effective pantomime of the embarrassment inherent in having a maid around and not knowing how to act around her. The final shot setting up the punchline is really visually memorable as well.
Once again Charley Chase shows that as much as he would later become a master of the two-reeler, he had no trouble fitting a great blend of social comment, excellent gags, character, and situation in one little ten minute reel.