Jerry's Mother-in-Law

Sidney Drew loves his wife, Clara Kimball Young, but when mother-in-law Kate Price shows up, he's relieve to be called away on business -- which turns out to be a costume party with his pals.

Sidney Drew, the uncle of Ethel, John and Lionel Barrymore, was a star for Vitagraph in this period. While the big comedy star at the company was John Bunny, Drew offered a more nuanced view of marriage, with lots of stage business. Notice his expressions and the way he presents the telegram calling him away to Miss Price. Within a year he would team up with his second wife in a matchless series of domestic comedies, devoid of the fantastic excesses that cap this one.

Still despite the almost slapstick excesses that end this one, this is a very funny comedy and a harbinger of better things to come. It's available for viewing in a very good print at the Eye Institute site on YouTube.

A two-reel comedy dealing with the family of a young married man, which is invaded by the wife's aggressive mother. Kate Price proves very effective in this part and proceeds to stir up trouble for the newlyweds, portrayed by Sidney Drew and Clara Kimball Young. The situations are farcical and keep the audience in constant good humor. All of the scenes were good: The French ball, in the museum, at the club, the shower bath, shopping, etc. Married folks will particularly enjoy this. - The Moving Picture World, November 29, 1913