When discussed at all, My Wife's Relations (1922) is interpreted as Buster Keaton slyly commenting on his imposing in-laws, the famous Talmadge clan. Years later, he would say he felt as though he had not married one woman, but her entire family as well during that ill-fated first marriage to Natalie Talmadge. Of course, I think this bitter backstory takes away from this funny film. It's not the best among Keaton's short films, but it isn't weak by any means and is very funny.
Buster is a taffy puller who, through a major misunderstanding, ends up married to an intimidating Irish-American woman played by the magnificent Kate Price. Irritated with the mix-up, she nonetheless ushers him into her home, where she lives with her burly brothers and father. Sizing up all 5'5 of Buster, they shake their heads, the dialogue card informing us, "He won't last a week in this family..." There are some stereotypical Irish jokes, but none of them are particularly mean-spirited (but as they often say with these things, your mileage could vary).
The highlight for me is the dinner scene, mainly because the humor comes from relate-able situations. The gag with the coffee always reminds me of my mother, who like Buster's brother-in-law likes coffee with her sugar rather than sugar with her coffee. Coming from a staunch Catholic family, I loved the gag where Buster fools his new family into thinking it's Friday, forcing them to forego their meat (and allowing Buster to get a slab!). My other favorite part is the hellish wedding night. Unlike a short from the early 1930s might do, there is no sexual innuendo of any kind; Buster and his bride retire to separate beds, but he goes out of his way to make sure she gets no sleep. Her solution to his annoying her gets me every time.
My Wife's Relations may not be Keaton's most imaginative work, but it's still a good twenty minutes of silliness. Plus Kate Price is one of Keaton's best leading ladies, playing off him with great panache!
Buster is a taffy puller who, through a major misunderstanding, ends up married to an intimidating Irish-American woman played by the magnificent Kate Price. Irritated with the mix-up, she nonetheless ushers him into her home, where she lives with her burly brothers and father. Sizing up all 5'5 of Buster, they shake their heads, the dialogue card informing us, "He won't last a week in this family..." There are some stereotypical Irish jokes, but none of them are particularly mean-spirited (but as they often say with these things, your mileage could vary).
The highlight for me is the dinner scene, mainly because the humor comes from relate-able situations. The gag with the coffee always reminds me of my mother, who like Buster's brother-in-law likes coffee with her sugar rather than sugar with her coffee. Coming from a staunch Catholic family, I loved the gag where Buster fools his new family into thinking it's Friday, forcing them to forego their meat (and allowing Buster to get a slab!). My other favorite part is the hellish wedding night. Unlike a short from the early 1930s might do, there is no sexual innuendo of any kind; Buster and his bride retire to separate beds, but he goes out of his way to make sure she gets no sleep. Her solution to his annoying her gets me every time.
My Wife's Relations may not be Keaton's most imaginative work, but it's still a good twenty minutes of silliness. Plus Kate Price is one of Keaton's best leading ladies, playing off him with great panache!