verbusen Review of Domestic Difficulties

Domestic Difficulties (1916)

One of The Funniest Cartoons From 1916 Ever.

[10/10 · 17 April 2024]

I was taken aback that this has a pretty low overall rating under 6. Domestic Difficulties has a lot of rough edges to it. Plus its silent and in black and white so some viewers may dismiss it and not be entertained. As another contributor has said, there is reptation in the movements and you can see a lot of the scenes are using the same drawings. BUT, the material is hilarious! The humor starts nuanced where Mutt (who's wife calls him Augustus here) is sitting at home stroking a banjo or small guitar acting like a regular boy scout saying "yes Dear" to everything his wife demands of him. This is very similar in premise to the 1930 Laurel and Hardy film, Blotto, predating it by 14 years; when Mutt telephones Jeff to meet him for drinks after he gets away from his wife. The boys eventually get out thinking the coast is clear (its not) and get smashed drunk. Which, after personally being in that situation before, with everything spinning around, is hilarious. I played this twice, the second time with my wife and she was greatly amused also, especially the end when the boys come back to Mutt's home. I watched this on the internet, its public domain and easy to find. Thinking that this funny adult humor is from 1916 gives it extra star ratings in my book, kind of dirty! 10 of 10!