Here's a fast 'n' funny one-reel comedy starring Billy Franey, one of the many forgotten comics of the silent era. What makes this short so enjoyable, it must be said, isn't Mr. Franey himself so much as the clever writing and direction, by Grover Jones. His style anticipates the humor of a later era, especially in the world of cartoons; his characters sometimes show an awareness they're players in a movie. They address viewers and comment on the action, something which occurs in the very first scene of The New Member.

Our hero, Billy, is a scruffy fellow who finds himself repeatedly pulled into violent brawls. And yet, every time a policeman arrives to break up the fight, the cop winds up exchanging a strange, finger-wagging signal with Billy's antagonist -- meaning, it would seem, they belong to the same secret society -- and that person gets off scot-free, while Billy takes the blame.

Pursued by a growing mob of cops, Billy takes refuge in a building which turns out to be the headquarters of the Order of the Wriggle Fingers. And before long, he is at the mercy of the leader, a man dressed as a devil who identifies himself as Satan. He greets Billy with an ominous line: "Victim of my wrath, prepare to sing the blues!" Much chasing and many sight gags ensue.

Latter-day viewers may be reminded of the legendary Fleischer cartoon 'Bimbo's Initiation,' or other silent comedies with this theme. It seems these secret, Masonic-type organizations thrived for a while in early 20th century America. Those days are long gone, but their cinematic satires live on, and The New Member is a very enjoyable example.

The farce subgenre features exaggerated situations, slapstick humor, mistaken identities, and chaotic, rapid-fire events. Farces are known for their absurd and over-the-top comedic elements, often involving misunderstandings, physical comedy, and improbable scenarios.

Leslie Nielsen, Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, and Lorna Patterson in Airplane! (1980)

The comedy genre refers to a category of entertainment that aims to amuse and entertain audiences by using humor, wit, and comedic situations. Comedies are created with the primary intention of eliciting laughter and providing lighthearted enjoyment. They encompass a wide range of styles, tones, and themes, appealing to various tastes and audiences.

Will Ferrell, Angela Grillo, and Lap-Gei Cheung in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

The short form refers to creative works characterized by their brevity and concise storytelling. Unlike full-length feature films, short films have a running time of less than 45 minutes, while TV shorts have a running time of less than 22 minutes.

Benedict Cumberbatch in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)

A street fight broken up by a secret hand signal leads to the discovery of the Royal Order of the Wriggle Fingers, a bizarre Satanic cult run by the police and endowed with magical powers.

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The New Member

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