When the Cat's Away
When the Cat's Away

Movie spotlight

When the Cat's Away

1920
Movie
25 min
English

Two-reel comedy directed by and starring Frederick J. Ireland

Insights

Director: Dell HendersonGenres: Comedy, Short

Plot Summary

A bumbling man attempts to impress a young woman by pretending to be a successful businessman. His charade quickly unravels when his landlady, whom he owes rent to, shows up unexpectedly. He must scramble to maintain the illusion and escape her demands, leading to a series of comical mishaps.

Critical Reception

As a short silent comedy from the early days of cinema, 'When the Cat's Away' was likely intended as light entertainment. Contemporary reviews, if they exist, would have focused on its comedic timing and slapstick elements, typical for films of its era. Its historical significance lies in its contribution to the burgeoning comedy genre.

What Reviewers Say

  • Generally enjoyed for its lighthearted slapstick.

  • Praised for its simple, effective comedic premise.

  • Seen as a typical, harmless entertainment of the silent film era.

Google audience: As this is a silent short from 1920, specific Google user reviews are not available. However, films of this nature were generally appreciated for their escapist humor and physical comedy by audiences of the time.

Fun Fact

This short film is part of a series of comedies featuring the popular duo Eddie Lyons and Lee Moran, known for their energetic and often chaotic performances.

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