Un ménage divisé

Farce comedy portraying the troubles of a married couple. A lawyer draws up articles of separation, which are shown on the screen duly signed. Then the husband and wife sign their names. There is a stenographer in this picture who will cause more rage than laughter; she chews gum and operates in a style peculiarly her own. The picture will make some fun in some houses. - The Moving Picture World, May 10, 1913

I watched this short as part of the TCM Women Film Pioneers series, and I was enchanted with its sprightliness, comedy, and the naturalness of the actors. While there were slapstick elements, the actors heeded Guy's credo "Be Natural!", and the arm-flailing and mugging is kept to a minimum. Lots of fun!

Daft comedy in which a couple who each mistakenly believe the other is having an affair agree to 'live separately together.' Much writing of notes follows. Leading man Fraunie "Who?" Fraunholz clearly believes that pulling faces and ruffling his hair is the height of humour.

A man gets sprayed with perfume by a salesman at work, and when he gets home, his wife thinks he's been with another women. He in turn finds some men's gloves and thinks she's been with another man. They look into a divorce, but decide to have a lawyer draw up a contract that will have them continue living together, communicating only through correspondence, but keeping up appearances their marriage is solid. This becomes particularly difficult when mother comes to visit, and they must also entertain guests. However, they do have a genuine love for each other, and it becomes increasingly difficult for them to remain mad at each other.

I think this could be considered an early screwball comedy, though it predates it as conventionally defined by twenty years.

In this 13 minute short from pioneering director Alice Guy-Blaché, a married couple stop talking to one another because they each mistakenly think the other is carrying on with someone else, based on the slimmest of evidence. It's a fun premise, something you'd see decades later on TV sitcoms, and seeing the notes they exchange is amusing (e.g. "I need a new hat" / "Keep needing it"). The mannerisms of the actors, including the one playing a secretary, are very cute as well, and probably the best part of the film. It's pretty simple and the story or characters are not at all fleshed out, but I see that as a limitation of the film's length. Consider it a light little amuse-bouche.