Hot Water

How could Harold Lloyd taking the family out for a spin in the new car and facing down his meddling mother-in-law get him in Hot Water?

Hot Water (1924) starring Harold Lloyd, Jobyna Ralston

Hot Water is a funny silent film. It deals with the subject of married life, in several vignettes.

Before marriage

Harold Lloyd is best man to a friend who’s late, and running to get to the church of time. And he foolishly says:

I’ll never give up my freedom for a pair of soft-boiled eyes!

But in his haste, he accidentally knocks over a beautiful young lady. He helps her up — but her ankle’s hurt! So he picks her up, and looks into her soft-boiled eyes … And the handwriting’s on the wall!

A few things from the store

Now newlyweds, Wifey calls Hubby to pick up a few items from the store on his way home:

Oh, hubby dear, I want you to bring home a few things for dinner. – And some bird seed – and laundry soap – and a box of matches – and a dozen eggs – and a pound of butter – and a dozen rolls – and a can of asparagus – and a loaf of bread – and some lamb chops – and a bag of flour – and two quarts of milk – and a leg of lamb – and a can of coffee – and a nice little cake – and some stove polish – and some bacon – just those few things, dear.

And, it’s a funny comedy moment as Hubby’s trying to pick up all of the packages, dropping one as he picks up another. Eventually, he’s ready to leave — but! Surprise, he’s won a live turkey in a raffle! Which he now adds to his precarious load, and tries to get on a street car – a funny scene on its own. Then, on the car, two kids are playing with a live bug, which soon makes its way up Hubby’s leg! And he transfers the little critter to another rider. And soon Hubby’s thrown off the streetcar.

Mother-in-law visits

His mother-in-law — with he nerve of a book agent, the disposition of a dyspeptic landlord, and the heart of a traffic cop.

And she brings his brother-in-law Charley:

So lazy he gets up at 4 o’clock every morning so he’ll have a longer day to loaf.

And, they brought along Little Bobby: “a child with a skin you love to touch — with a strap.”

Yes, Hubby is surprised when he gets home. With various slapstick moments from the various in-laws. Butt, he’s got a surprise of his own — a new car’s going to be delivered, as a surprise for Wifey.

The New Car

The new car arrives, and Hubby wants to take Wifey out for the inaugural drive — just the two of them. But the in-laws climb into the back seat like greased lightning. So, off they all go. And it’s very inattentive driving, as Wifey helps Hubby with his tie — and some kisses. After a funny moment with a traffic bump (which I’ve not heard of before) and some World War I veterans dropping a helmet so Hubby mistakes it for one of the bumps, he’s off to impress Wifey with the speed of their new car! And after a short confusion, he nearly runs over a motorcycle cop! Pursuing the cop down the road, through a house under construction, and into a pond! And he then drives off …

Mother-in-law decides she has to take charge, gets into the front seat — and promptly causes an accident. And her loud mouth gets Hubby a ticket. Then the car’s stalled and he has to push it. Next it’s running downhill without a driver! Then he runs in, and a fire engine’s behind him — and mother-in-law’s insisting on grabbing the wheel!

And then he gets stuck on top of a sidewalk elevator, and getting out of that, he collides with a streetcar!

Back home

The trip back home is pure misery, as the damaged car is towed, with the angry, upset people in it. When they get home, Hubby’s neighbor tries to help. He recommends that Hubby stand up to his mother-in-law. Hubby’s too timid, so the neighbor shares his bottle of “liquid courage”. Which Hubby empties!

At the dinner table

Mother-in-law is a ferocious teetotaler, and is about to lecture madly. But things go awry, and soon the visiting relatives think the house is haunted, and they flee for their lives.

Editorial review of Hot Water courtesy of Amazon.com

Hot Water (1924) also goes into the time capsule of great Lloyd features, even if it feels like a handful of shorter films shoehorned together. This one gets its charm from the basic domestic situation (Harold takes the family out for a spin in the new car, faces down his meddling mother-in-law). It turns to haunted-house jokes toward the end, which gives Lloyd a chance to do his electric-hair bit, a familiar gag from his films.

Cast of characters

• Harold Lloyd (College) … Hubby Harold
• Jobyna Ralston (Why Worry?) … Wifey
• Josephine Crowell (Laurel & Hardy’s Laughing 20’s) … Wifey’s Mother – Mrs. Winnifred Ward Stokes
• Charles Stevenson (Grandma’s Boy) … Wifey’s Big Brother – Charley Stokes
• Mickey McBan … Wifey’s Little Brother – Bobby Stokes

Additional cast

• Evelyn Burns … Irate Streetcar Passenger (uncredited)
• Andy De Villa … Glen Reed (uncredited)
• Edgar Dearing (The Midnight Patrol) … Motorcycle Cop (uncredited)
• Pat Harmon (Spite Marriage) … Burly Trolley Car Straphanger (uncredited)
• Fred Holmes (Two Tars) … Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited)
• John T. Prince (Dr. Jack) … Waiting Wedding Guest Outside Church (uncredited)
• Billy Rinaldi … Brunette Boy on Trolley (uncredited)
• Hayes E. Robertson (The Battle of the Century) … Car Driver Nearly Crashing into Harold’s Car (uncredited)
• George Ward … Blond Boy on Trolley (uncredited)
• S.D. Wilcox … Gene Kornman (uncredited)