User Reviews

"Down With Husbands" is an Al Christie production starring several folks who are mostly forgotten today. It begins with learning that women are refusing to do housework and Paducah (Kentucky) seems to be the epicenter of this movement. The women are tired of slaving and working and not being appreciated by the men, so they are out on strike. In response, Henry (Johnny Arthur) is starting a men's group, the Husband's Protective League, to combat the women. And, to help the men, a group of scabs come and offer to fill in for the absent wives!!

The notion of women working outside the home and having any role other than homemaker was pretty radical back in 1930...though today it has changed for many. In other words, today folks will more likely side with the wives and appreciate their walk out more than audiences of the day. Still, it is kind of cute and enjoyable despite its strange message!

The women of Paducah are out on strike! Men are washing their own dishes! Bert Roach is taking advantage of the situation by partying with 17 young beauties and one with a slight mustache, so he and Frank Rice go over Johnny Arthur's bridal suite -- his bride walked out after the first week -- to organize.

It's an amusing set-up for this early sound short from the Christies. They were one of the four major independent producers of comedy shorts during the silent era, along with Sennett, Hal Roach and Jack White's unit at Educational Films. However, despite being well-established in the industry, the increased cost of producing sound films, as well as the shock of the downturn in the movie business that would begin the year this short came out and extend through 1933 would eventually drive thm all out of the business; only Roach would survive, albeit in altered form.

Another problem was with the lead comic here, Johnny Arthur. His screen character had always had a nance quality to it, and sound would accentuate that. Although he would continue to work in small roles, he would no longer be a draw.