She Wanted a Bow-Wow
(1910) United States of America
B&W : Split-reel / 607 feet
Directed by (unknown)
Cast: Martha Russell
Essanay Film Manufacturing Company production; distributed by Essanay Film Manufacturing Company. / Released 20 April 1910; in a split-reel with A Wise Guy (1910). / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Comedy.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? As the title suggests, Polly wants a “bow-wow,” anything in the line of a four-legged canine. She takes the matter up with Bob, who argues that a “bow-wow” is a nuisance in the house and flatly objects to bringing a dog into the family. Polly cries and tells Uncle Joe about wanting a “bow-wow” and how her horrid Bob will not permit her having one. Uncle Joe is all sympathy and tells her she shall have one, and promises to go right out and make the purchase. She is highly elated and begins making preparations for the reception of her little “bow-wow.” Bob and Polly have in their employ a maid and a butler, who, a year before, had secretly married. Some time before James and Marie had come to live with Bob and Polly, they had been blessed with a little girl baby, which was being kept by a friend of Marie’s. On the day that Polly had taken her complaint to Uncle Joe, the servants had received a short note from Mrs. Wilson, stating that the baby was ill and for them to call and get it. It is then that the trouble begins. Uncle Joe brings home the pup, and fearful of Bob’s wrath they resolve to hide the dog and write a note to Bob, stating that it belongs to them (Uncle Joe and Polly), for him to forgive them and to take good care of it. The pup is hidden behind a screen in the room, and Polly and Uncle Joe slip out to await developments. In the interval which follows, James and Marie enter with the baby. Fearful of losing their portions if Mr. Bob learns of their marriage and of the baby, they are in a quandary as to what to do with it. They hear someone coming and seeking to stave off inquiries until the last moment, they slip the little one behind the screen at the other side of the room. Bob finds the letter and, of course, looks behind the wrong screen. Horror is expressed in his face when he sees the baby, for he presumes that this is the “it” referred to in Polly’s note. Resolved to annihilate his treacherous uncle and unfaithful wife, Bob searches the house for the two, but the crime is averted when the two frightened servants confess to the ownership of the baby, while Polly and Uncle Joe bring out the pup.
Reviews: [The Moving Picture World, 30 April 1910, page ?] Others have wanted bow-wows to their discomfiture before dog catchers were abroad in the land, but perhaps the difficulties which beset this aspirant for canine possession have never been equaled. Probably the determination of this phase of the subject had better be left to the judgment of the audience.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 15 February 2024.
References: Website-AFI; Website-IMDb.
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