Bonne d'enfants et soldat

Bonne d'enfants et soldat (1897)

Two men are sitting on a bench when a mother walks by with her young son. The mother is caught up in a book so one of them pulls the child away and takes the woman's hand pretending to be him. This Lumiere Brothers short certainly isn't a masterpiece of comedy but ti is an early example of the company getting away from actuality movies and going towards something that was a little more scripted. The joke here isn't anything hilarious but the film actually has a very good charm about it and it manages to make you smile, which is worth sitting through the short running time for.

Comical little picture from the Lumiere brothers in which a soldier swaps places with the son of an unsuspecting mother during a walk in the park.

Although L'AROSEUR AROSEE from the Lumiere's first show is far more famous than this effort, it takes pride of place in their list of movie comedy. Like the other, it is also a simple practical joke -- a maid is out walking with her young charge and the soldier takes the boy's place. No harm is intended or done, for she discovers the substitution, whacks him a couple of times and goes on her way.

It's just as clearly staged, so why is the other film much better known? Probably because the tables truly are turned in that one. The joke, although just as artificial is sharper and the effects a bit longer lasting -- it will take a few minutes for the water to dry. In this one, authority is not challenged .... just gently mocked.