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6/10
An agreeable little comedy
planktonrules2 May 2008
Ben Turpin plays a rather henpecked man who just wants a moment of peace and quiet. However, through a series of misunderstandings, his life becomes a mess and the film ends with his wife and mother-in-law chasing him with a very conveniently placed shotgun.

While this is not the funniest silent film ever, it is still a decent little comedy that is worth a peek. However, do NOT assume this is one of the better Ben Turpin comedies--films such as YUKON JAKE are certainly more entertaining and more outrageous. However, as a nice little slice of life film it isn't bad--though some of the action has been seen in many other films before and since (I saw this same joke at the end of two different Laurel and Hardy movies alone as well as in a Sennett comedy).

By comparison, most Keaton and Lloyd shorts are more entertaining.
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6/10
The Eyes Have It review
JoeytheBrit3 May 2020
Ok little comedy with Ben Turpin (who else in a '20s movie with a title like this?) as a henpecked husband whose innocent attempt to catch a little quiet time ends with him being chased by his shotgun-wielding mother-in-law.
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8/10
Amusing silent comedy
knsevy5 December 2003
Warning: Spoilers
***SPOILERS - JUST BECAUSE I'M THAT WAY***

Seems to me we've seen this family, both before AND after. I'm not saying anybody was stealing material; the classic comedians used a LOT of similar elements. But this family, with the suspicious wife, the bratty son, and the battleaxe mother-in-law looks very much like the family W.C. Fields often found himself heading, in his movies.

The actual plot is a farce in which Ben's wife and mother-in-law suspect him of infidelity because of a picture found in his coat, but this story is put on a long hiatus by a fishing scene, in the middle of the film. The humor, of course, is predictable, but Turpin gives a nice, funny performance.

I wouldn't call this a knee-slapper or a gold classic, but it's better-crafted and more linear than much silent slapstick. Fun to watch.
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9/10
Poor Ben....
EdF1356 November 2000
This was, to me, the funniest silent film ever. It's the story of an average guy who wants to read the newspaper or fish in peace, but can't thanks to a brat of a son and a rough mother-in-law. Such a simple story, but it had me gasping for breath!
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