User Reviews

The words "film pioneer" and "D.W. Griffith have been for a long time synonymous. Often overlooked, though, is one of his early efforts, Mr. Jones at the Ball(1908). His pioneering efforts are well represented here as an example of the "film series". Using modern terminology, the "pilot" for this series may have been, A Smoked Husband(1908), which should go down as one of the most unique titles in the history of cinema. Speculating on which context the word smoke is used,one would use the definition found in the early 1900's when smoke(d) in schoolboy slang meant "blushing". This would make sense as it would be a masculine parallel to "a blushing bride". Anyway, the first official entry, following the pilot, was Mr. Jones at the Ball. The star actress playing the part of Mrs. Jones(before there were stars) was Florence Lawrence. She was at this time not known by her name, but instead, "The Biograph Girl". Other titles in this early motion picture series that were referred to as "Jonesy" pictures at the time were: Jones and His New Neighbor; Mrs. Jones Lover; Jones and the Lady Book Agent; Mrs. Jones Entertains; His Wife's Mother; Peachbasket Hat; Jones' Burglar; Her First Biscuits; Mr. Jones Has a Card Party; The Jones' Have Amateur Theatricals. Questionable entries in the series are: Mixed Babies; His Day of Rest. Another significant cast member was "The King of Comedy" himself, Mack Sennett, who later as producer would release the "Mabel & Fatty", "Taxi" and "Smith Family" series. And last but not least, there was "America's Sweetheart" Mary Pickford in 3 of the episodes.

John Cumpson and wife FLorence Lawrence arrive at another dance party. When Cumpson tears his trousers, however, he and the Mrs. retreat to a side room so she can sew them. However, other people want to get in to use the room.

D.W. Griffith is not remembered for his comedies, but in the hundreds of short subjects, he did a fair number of them, and Mr. Cumpson was his first comedy star. Looking at this, it's a fairly simple comedy. The Biograph Right Wall is not in evidence, but the Black servants are played by people in blackface.

A comic farce from D. W. Griffiths in which John R. Cumpson frantically tries to evade fellow guests at a party after losing his trousers. Not particularly memorable, but still one of Griffith's better comedies.

Mr. Jones at the Ball (1908)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Comedy from D.W. Griffith has the devious Mr. Jones attending a party where there's no problem until he rips his pants. He innocently goes into a room with a lady so that she can fix them but the men and women outside the room get the wrong impression and chaos breaks out. Griffith will never be known for his comedies and while a lot of them fall flat on their face, there are a couple that can stand out but this here isn't one of the best. I think this is simple enough of a comedy and considering the title cards are all lost on this short, it's still pretty simple to follow. I'm not sure if the cards introduced us to this character in a certain way or not but it's clear he's just the type of comic character who finds himself at the wrong place at the wrong time. I thought John R. Cumpson did a pretty good job in the role of Jones. I especially liked this comic timing when he becomes frantic trying to figure out a way to get out of the room while both doors are being blocked by people trying to break in to get him. Mack Sennett can be seen in a few scenes so fans of his will have a reason to check this out. At just under 8-minutes there's no really big laughs to be had but in the end the short is pleasant enough for fans of the director.

One of the things that motivated Griffith to make this film was the fact that working class audiences (who couldn't read) could watch his films and learn about history and culture without having to plow through libraries for books. Cinema for Griffith was the new history book.