A Prodigal Bridegroom

A Prodigal Bridegroom is a delightful silent comedy from the Mack Sennett studios. It stars legendary cross-eyed comedienne Ben Turpin, bathing beauty Thelma Hill, and screen vamp Madeline Hurlock.

The story starts with Rodney St. Clair (Ben Turpin) and Lizzie Boone (Thelma Hill) frolicking in a meadow and happily planning their wedding. Rodney is a poor country boy so he goes to the city to earn some money. Unfortunately on the way home he meets gold digging Gertie Gray (Madeline Hurlock) who tries to seduce him into marrying her. Now Rodney must choose between his homely fiancé or the beautiful vamp.

Since this is a Sennett comedy there are a lot of silly gags and even a sword fight. Ben, Madeline, and especially Thelma give wonderful performances. It's a shame Thelma Hill never became a big star because she's a beautiful and talented actress. She died in 1938 at the young age of 31.

When the story begins, Rodney (Ben Turpin) and Lizzie are in love and plan on marrying. However, later, when Ben goes to the big city, he meets a vamp on the train and practically as soon as he meets her, he's engaged to her. It's obviously NOT a love match for her....as, after all, he looks like Ben Turpin! But when Rodney returns home on the day he's to marry Lizzie, he concocts a funny tale of how he met this new woman and how he now MUST marry her. Despite his best efforts...things do NOT go well!

This is a modestly funny film. If it wasn't for his wonderful story he concocts to convince everyone it's okay that he's jilting Lizzie, the film would probably only earn a 4 as there aren't many laughs aside from this. Worth seeing.