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Crossdressing Maids Strike
In this peculiar Pathé comedy, translated in English as "The Strike of the Housekeepers," maids abandon their domestic servitude and, upon the streets, the children they rear, to unionize and strike, which becomes something of a riot, as the women run men over, are chased and arrested by police, as the cops also reclaim the abandoned kids. Perhaps to add to the comedic effect and physical stunts, the housekeepers are, according to Alison McMahan (in her book, "Alice Guy Blaché: Lost Visionary of the Cinema"), at least, all portrayed by men.
This is also a relatively elaborate short for 1906. I counted 26 shots in all, with at least three instances of crosscutting. There's also a possibly intentional cut to brightness in the middle of one shot, as though the negative were over-exposed, as one of the maids leaps upon a policeman. Ultimately, the action and continuity, as they often do in early cinema, turn into a chase. A somewhat amusing and unusual picture from Pathé.
This is also a relatively elaborate short for 1906. I counted 26 shots in all, with at least three instances of crosscutting. There's also a possibly intentional cut to brightness in the middle of one shot, as though the negative were over-exposed, as one of the maids leaps upon a policeman. Ultimately, the action and continuity, as they often do in early cinema, turn into a chase. A somewhat amusing and unusual picture from Pathé.
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- Cineanalyst
- Apr 6, 2020
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- Basta de Armas? Viva a Mamadeira
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- See more company credits at IMDbPro
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- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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