The Absent-Minded Boob; or, Photographing the Baby (1913)

Mr. and Mrs. Algernon Boob are discovered breakfasting in their country place at Lonesomehurst. He is as small and insignificant as she is buxom and important. He is consuming the contents of the 'Pup Edition' occasionally thinking of himself and taking a bite of solid food. The whistle of the train reminds him and he jumps into his overcoat, but neglects to put on his hat. He is followed to the station by the fleet and faithful maid of all-works, who jams the head-piece on him just as he climbs in the train. He has forgotten his commuter ticket so he pays cash, and then he keeps trumping his partner's ace in a friendly game in most exasperating fashion. His wife is invited to come to the city and have their child photographed. It requires a photographer and a corps of assistants to scare the baby into an attitude of restful content for a picture. Mr. Boob arrives at the station an hour before his train is made up, so he buries himself in his newspaper. His wife comes in with the infant, but he is too much engrossed to see her. At that moment a pickpocket relieves her of her chatelaine. She grabs the man, but burdened with a baby, cannot hold him. She rushes to her absent-minded hubby and throwing the baby in his lap, starts hot foot after the thief. The big policeman outside, has happily nabbed him, but insists she must go to the station with them and lodge a complaint. Mr. Boob suddenly burdened with a baby does not recognize it as his own, and trots off to the stationhouse where he leaves the waif. In the interim his wife goes home and is surprised to find he has not reported. He comes along on a late train, babbling of his remarkable experience. His wife tells him it was his own baby and consternation ensues. They spend a restless night locating the darling, finding it finally in Bellion Hospital.

All Releases

Domestic
International
Worldwide
Summary Details
Running Time9 min
GenresComedy Short