Possible spoiler ahead This is one of only 4 surviving comedies featuring John Bunny and Flora Finch, who, forgotten now, once enjoyed worldwide fame before his sudden death whilst touring in 1915. Whether this is typical of their work is hard to say, but this simple episode is a pleasant if unexciting sampler.
It's all about a little girl and her jolly uncle (Bunny) who's fun and games are disrupted when Uncle falls for the new nanny (Flora Finch) and in particular the Rapunzal-like long hair which is "her crowning glory".
Both the child and her jealous mother are less than amused by the new arrival. For the child it means the loss of her playmate, and for the mother possibly the loss of a "guardian" (her motivation is somewhat unclear) so the latter schemes to get rid of the intruder. Realizing that what attracts Bunny is Finch's flowing tresses, the rival gives her daughter a large pair of scissors and points her in the direction of the sleeping Finch. When Bunny sees his beloved with her brand new hair cut, he can't bear to look at her and the poor lady is summarily dismissed.
It's interesting to see American comedy as it was before Mack Sennett introduced slap stick. The humour is that of a very mild situation comedy, with a somewhat cruel payoff. Interestingly the story as such revolves round the child and her vindictive parent. Bunny is merely a "straight man" whilst Flora Finch whether flirting, brushing her hair or reacting in horror when she finds it hacked off provides most of the smiles.
Actually I felt more than a little sorry for her as she trudged dejectedly out of the house at the end.
It's all about a little girl and her jolly uncle (Bunny) who's fun and games are disrupted when Uncle falls for the new nanny (Flora Finch) and in particular the Rapunzal-like long hair which is "her crowning glory".
Both the child and her jealous mother are less than amused by the new arrival. For the child it means the loss of her playmate, and for the mother possibly the loss of a "guardian" (her motivation is somewhat unclear) so the latter schemes to get rid of the intruder. Realizing that what attracts Bunny is Finch's flowing tresses, the rival gives her daughter a large pair of scissors and points her in the direction of the sleeping Finch. When Bunny sees his beloved with her brand new hair cut, he can't bear to look at her and the poor lady is summarily dismissed.
It's interesting to see American comedy as it was before Mack Sennett introduced slap stick. The humour is that of a very mild situation comedy, with a somewhat cruel payoff. Interestingly the story as such revolves round the child and her vindictive parent. Bunny is merely a "straight man" whilst Flora Finch whether flirting, brushing her hair or reacting in horror when she finds it hacked off provides most of the smiles.
Actually I felt more than a little sorry for her as she trudged dejectedly out of the house at the end.