Movie spotlight
Polly Put the Kettle On
To support her younger sisters, Polly Vance finds work as a live-in companion to the aging Johanna Webb. Johanna's nephew, Chester Creigg, quarrels with his aunt and severs relations with her, because of her cruel treatment of her new employee, after which Polly returns to her old home. Then, when a fire breaks out at Polly's house, Chester rushes over to save her sisters, but loses his eyesight during the rescue. Convalescing from his burns, Chester learns that Johanna has died and marvels at the similarity between her and the old housemaid who is now taking care of him.
Insights
Plot Summary
This short silent comedy follows the mischievous antics of a young woman named Polly and her friends as they navigate humorous situations and comical misunderstandings. The film is characterized by its lighthearted tone and slapstick humor, typical of the era, focusing on everyday scenarios escalated into funny predicaments.
Critical Reception
As a short film from 1917, contemporary critical reviews are scarce and not widely archived. However, Harold Lloyd's early work, including this film, is generally recognized for its comedic timing and the development of his persona, laying the groundwork for his later successes. Audience reception would have been positive for the period's popular comedic shorts.
What Reviewers Say
Early example of Harold Lloyd's comedic talent.
Features typical slapstick humor of silent short films.
A lighthearted and amusing diversion for audiences of the time.
Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for this film is unavailable due to its age and format.
Fun Fact
This short film is one of the earliest appearances of the iconic comedian Harold Lloyd, who would later become one of the most popular stars of the silent film era.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources