His Uncle's Wives

His Uncle's Wives

(One reel split with Seven Ages of the Alligator, 686 feet, February 2, 1913)
Print source: Library of Congress, 9 minutes 6 seconds.
Directed by Lawrence Marston.
Cast: Jean Darnell, Harry Benham.
Original music composed and performed by Ben Model.

An artist unexpectedly inherits six wives who come to him from his uncle in Constantinople. His wife makes serious objections, and he finally packs them off to join a theatrical troupe, and happiness is restored.

This simple situation comedy enjoys opulent sets of the home of an already-married New York City painter who inherits a harem, then finds a way to dispose of them. Though silly, the premise could fill a 2-hour movie today, plus sequels. Though the scenarist is unrecorded, it is likely Lloyd F. Lonergan who loved the device of inheritance to drive the plot.