Her Spoiled Boy
Her Spoiled Boy

Movie spotlight

Her Spoiled Boy

1911
Movie
10 min
English

Robert Burton was an only son and his indulgent mother had spoiled him. Bob was not all bad, but he was woefully weak and could not stick long at any one task. Also he paid more attention to rolling cigarettes than he did to his work. One day he was discharged by the foreman of the crockery store where he worked and appeared at home disgusted and sullen. His mother tried to comfort him, but the boy was anxious to have his way and announced his intention of going west, where he thought there would be better opportunities for him.

Insights

Director: Dell HendersonGenres: Comedy, Short Film

Plot Summary

A pampered young man, accustomed to getting his way, finds his world turned upside down when his mother tries to teach him a lesson about responsibility. He's made to do chores and work, which he finds utterly beneath him, leading to a series of comedic mishaps. Ultimately, his spoiled nature clashes with the realities of labor, with predictable, humorous outcomes.

Critical Reception

As a silent short film from 1911, 'Her Spoiled Boy' is primarily of historical interest. Contemporary reviews, if they existed in a widely preserved form, likely focused on its comedic timing and the performances, typical for the era's simple narratives. Modern critical analysis would view it as an early example of domestic comedy and social commentary, reflecting the societal norms and family dynamics of the time.

What Reviewers Say

  • A lighthearted domestic comedy reflecting early 20th-century family dynamics.

  • Showcases the physical comedy and character archetypes prevalent in early cinema.

  • Offers a glimpse into the evolving portrayal of spoiled youths in popular entertainment.

Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this film is unavailable due to its age and limited distribution in the digital era.

Fun Fact

Dell Henderson, the director, was a prolific filmmaker in the early days of Hollywood, known for his work with Mack Sennett's Keystone Studios and later for directing numerous comedies for various studios throughout the 1910s and 1920s.

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