Hubby's Night Out 1917
In this classic silent short from 1917, director Al Christie delivers a clever domestic comedy centered on Neal's desperate attempt to escape his wife's watchful eye and sneak off to a masked ball with his buddies.
Director: Al Christie
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hubby's Night Out (1917) about?
Neal tries to sneak out to a masked ball with his friends, but his wife Betty isn't having it. After dosing his drink to keep him home, chaos ensues when the powdered whiskey gets passed around—and Neal ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time, caught in a web of hilarious mix-ups.
Who directed Hubby's Night Out?
The film was directed by Al Christie, a pioneer of American silent comedy known for his sharp wit and fast-paced gags.
Who stars in Hubby's Night Out?
The film features Betty Compson, Neal Burns, Eddie Barry, Harry Ham, and Stella Adams in key roles.
Is Hubby's Night Out (1917) worth watching?
Though unrated on IMDb, this 12-minute silent comedy shines with clever timing and timeless themes of marital mischief. It's a fun slice of early cinema history that's perfect for fans of vintage humor and short films.
How long is Hubby's Night Out?
The film runs for 12 minutes, making it a quick but delightful watch.
About Hubby's Night Out (1917) — A Silent-Era Comedy of Mistaken Identity and Marital Mischief
In this classic silent short from 1917, director Al Christie delivers a clever domestic comedy centered on Neal's desperate attempt to escape his wife's watchful eye and sneak off to a masked ball with his buddies. The stage is set for slapstick hilarity when Betty, weary of his excuses, doses Neal's whiskey with a sleeping powder while hiding his costume. What follows is a chain of mistaken identities and chaotic mishaps, as the doped drink circulates through the household and a bewildered policeman gets tangled in the scheme. With sharp timing and playful visual gags, Christie crafts a lighthearted battle of the sexes that feels both timeless and distinctly early 20th-century in tone.
At the heart of Hubby's Night Out is the timeless tug-of-war between duty and desire—and the humorous consequences when one partner takes matters into their own hands. The atmosphere is breezy yet brimming with personality, thanks in part to the lively performances of Betty Compson and Neal Burns, whose chemistry fuels the absurdity. The film's runtime of just 12 minutes keeps the energy high, making it a perfect snapshot of silent-era wit and charm.
A must-see for fans of vintage comedy who appreciate that even in 1917, the battle of the sexes was already a winning formula.