The Complexities of an Italian Straw Hat

A trousers tug o’ war. Note the director’s cheeky staging. Image: Silent London

Conventional wisdom tells us the world was a simpler place before the popularity of cars, computers and celebrity culture.

We’re not so sure about this, now that we’ve seen the 1927 silent French comedy The Italian Straw Hat (Un Chapeau de paille d’Italie). This film, adapted from a popular and frequently-produced French play, is set in 1895 and takes place during the course of a single, complicated day.

It’s a truly funny film that makes you fall in love with the characters while it pokes fun at society’s conventions.

The Plot: As a young groom-to-be (Albert Préjean) drives his horse and buggy to his wedding, he encounters an unexpected snag in a thickly-treed lane. While he tends to the problem, his horse wanders ahead and starts eating a woman’s straw hat that has been left on a bush.

Unhappily for everyone, the hat…

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6 comments on “The Complexities of an Italian Straw Hat”

Silver Screenings
10/24/2015

Thanks for the re-blog. This is a film worth rearranging your schedule for, if you have the chance to see it.
First Night Design
10/24/2015

I must do. It’s a very familiar title as a stage play as one or other of my parents did it early on.
Silver Screenings
10/24/2015

Really? Your parent(s) did this play? I bet it’s delightful on the stage. Would be great to see in a packed theatre.
First Night Design
10/24/2015

I wish I could remember which of them it was! I probably have an old rep programme for it somewhere. Nobody seems to have heard of it any more. Somebody should revive it.
teagan geneviene
10/25/2015

Terrific picture. Nice to “see” you at Sally’s coffee this morning, Sarah! Hugs
First Night Design
10/25/2015

Thanks and hugs, Teagan!