A Joke on Jane (1914)

• 55%
• 1914
• Comedy
• Harry A. Pollard
• Margarita Fischer
• Harry A. Pollard
• Frank Cooley

Rich, who is somewhat of a grouch, refuses to accompany his pretty young wife to a card party. Being a "spunky" little woman, Jane goes by herself. Left alone for the evening, Rich determines to make her sorry and hatches a scheme. Summoning Wise, his friend, he obtains his assistance. Rich goes to his wife's room, and removes the contents of her jewel case. He then gets Wise to securely bind and gag him. His scheme is to make Jane believe, on her return, that a thief had rendered him helpless. Wise goes home and foolishly confides the joke to his wife. Mrs. Wise secretly sends Jane a note, informing her of the trick. Highly elated, Jane shows the note to her friends and hastens home. Meanwhile, "Second Story" Ike, a burglar, looks in and discovers Rich gagged and helpless. Entering, he relieves him of all of his possessions, including Jane's jewels, which Rich has placed in his pocket. Delighted over the easy haul, Ike then starts out to ransack the house. While he is thus engaged, Jane comes home and proceeds to torture poor Rich, who is utterly helpless. She tickles him nearly to death. Finally she shows him Mrs. Wise's note and for punishment, decides to leave him tied up for the night. Poor Rich struggles frantically at his bonds, but owing to the gags in his mouth, is unable to tell Jane of the robbery. She bids him "good-night" and goes to her room highly amused. Entering she is horrified to discover a man in the closet and nearly faints. Slamming the door shut, she locks him in and summons a cop. Ike is dragged off to jail and when Rich gets the gag out of his mouth he solemnly swears never again to indulge in a practical joke.