Cradle Snatchers (1927)
A sharp and spirited silent comedy from Howard Hawks, where three scheming wives turn the tables on their flirtatious husbands with some unexpected help.
Cradle Snatchers - Movie Information
- Original Title: Cradle Snatchers
- Release Year: 1927
- Directed by: Howard Hawks
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy
- Runtime: 59m
- Original Language: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): May 28, 1927 (United States)
- Alternative Titles: Si nos maris s'amusent (FR)
- Production Companies: Fox Film Corporation
- Production Countries: United States of America
Cradle Snatchers - Plot
To cure their flirtatious husbands of consorting with flappers, three wives-- Susan Martin, Ethel Drake, and Kitty Ladd-- arrange with three college boys-- Henry Winton, Oscar, and Joe Valley-- to flirt with them at a house party. Joe Valley, who poses as a hot-blooded Spaniard, is vamped by Ginsberg in female attire, and Oscar, a bashful Swede, uses caveman methods when aroused. During a rehearsal of the party, the three husbands arrive, followed by their flapper friends, leading to comic complications.
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Cradle Snatchers - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Howard Hawks
Main Cast
- Louise Fazenda
- J. Farrell MacDonald
- Ethel Wales
- Franklin Pangborn
- Dorothy Phillips
- William B. Davidson
- Joseph Striker
- Nick Stuart
- Arthur Lake
- Diane Ellis
Writers
- Sarah Y. Mason
- William Fox
Cradle Snatchers - FAQs
What is Cradle Snatchers about?
Cradle Snatchers follows three fed-up wives who recruit college boys to flirt with them at a house party, hoping to make their flirtatious husbands jealous. The scheme spirals into delightful chaos when the husbands show up with their flapper companions, setting off a chain of comic misunderstandings.
Who directed Cradle Snatchers?
Howard Hawks directed Cradle Snatchers in 1927. It was one of his early silent-era features for Fox Film Corporation, and it already showcases the sharp comic timing and snappy ensemble dynamics that would define his later celebrated comedies like Bringing Up Baby and His Girl Friday.
Is Cradle Snatchers a lost film?
Cradle Snatchers is considered a partially lost film. Like many silent-era productions, not all of its original footage has survived to the present day, making complete viewings impossible. This partial loss is a common fate for films from the 1920s, when film preservation was not yet a widespread priority.
Who are the main actors in Cradle Snatchers?
The cast is led by Louise Fazenda, J. Farrell MacDonald, Ethel Wales, Franklin Pangborn, Dorothy Phillips, William B. Davidson, Joseph Striker, Nick Stuart, Arthur Lake, and Diane Ellis. The ensemble brings a lively mix of comic and dramatic talent to this roaring-twenties farce.
When was Cradle Snatchers released?
Cradle Snatchers was released on May 28, 1927, in the United States. It was produced and distributed by Fox Film Corporation during the height of the silent comedy era, arriving just a few months before the release of The Jazz Singer would begin Hollywood's transition to sound.
Is Cradle Snatchers based on a true story?
No, Cradle Snatchers is not based on a true story. It is adapted from a 1925 Broadway stage play of the same name. The screenplay was written by Sarah Y. Mason, and the story is a lighthearted farce built around marital jealousy, mistaken intentions, and the social freedoms of the Jazz Age.
What are similar movies to Cradle Snatchers?
If you enjoy Cradle Snatchers, you might also like Twin Beds (1929), Too Much Wife (1922), Daughters of Pleasure (1924), Beggar on Horseback (1925), and The Husband Hunter (1920). These silent-era comedies share a similar spirit of domestic mischief, comic misunderstandings, and Jazz Age charm.
How long is Cradle Snatchers?
Cradle Snatchers has a runtime of 59 minutes, making it a brisk and entertaining watch. This compact length was typical for comedies of the silent era, where pacing relied heavily on visual gags and physical performance rather than dialogue to keep audiences engaged throughout.
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