The Making Over of Mother (1916)

• 58%
• 1916
• Comedy
• Horace Davey
• Neal Burns
• Betty Compson
• Stella Adams

Neal, married recently, is expecting his wife, who is visiting her mother. Betty wants to take mother home with her, so that she may meet her son-in-law, but Neal objects and Betty comes home alone. This was the cause of the first quarrel between the newlyweds. Ethel, a friend of Betty, succeeds in getting Neal to allow mother-in-law to come, but he escapes under the cover of an urgent business trip. Stella, although young in years, was an old-fashioned and quiet lady. Betty and Ethel decide to make mother over, and after a steam bath and pretty clothes, mother was rejuvenated and looked twenty years younger. The two girls then decide to take mother out to a café, and they tell her that if she wants to have some fun she has to flirt a little. Neal comes back from his trip, and finding his home empty, goes to the same café. Betty and Ethel have met some friends and leave mother alone. Neal sits at a table next to Stella and is attracted by her good looks. They flirt and pretty soon Neal comes, sits at the same table and buys drinks. He even kisses Stella. A picture of Betty in Neal's watch attracts Stella's attention and she recognizes in Neal her son-in-law. She enjoys the situation and promises Neal that she will see him again. Neal goes home. Betty takes Ethel home after leaving mother at the door of their house. Neal sees Stella enter the apartment and is puzzled. He insists that she leave, saying that he is a married man, and nearly faints when Stella tells him that she intends to spend the night there. Betty comes back and Neal hears her opening the door. Afraid to be caught with another woman, he pushes Stella into the bedroom and tries in vain to keep Betty away from said room. When Betty comes out of the bedroom and asks why he has hidden mother there, Neal nearly collapses, but recovering, says, "Oh, just a little joke; mother and I are great friends." Betty is delighted, but mother and Neal decide that the wisest thing to do is to keep mum.