Our New Errand Boy (1905) User Reviews

Chase through South-Coast Suburbia

[Igenlode Wordsmith · 6/10 · 27 May 2006]

I was surprised both by the quality of the print and of the acting in this very early comedy; the former was in really excellent condition (possibly due to receiving far less wear than, for example, Cecil Hepworth's contemporary work!), while the performances are far less frenetic than the Keystone-Kops-type antics of later Hollywood film. It's also fascinating as a glimpse into what is essentially still the street-scene of Victorian England, in an era before the Great War was even a shadow on the horizon. One of the Hove Corporation water-carts makes a starring appearance as its drowsy driver is taken by surprise, while the grocer's shop sports special-offer placards in the window; some things never change! It is strange to see chase comedy played out in such very English surroundings; the policeman in truncheon and helmet, the suburban villas and hedges of Hove, and even the little bit of street furniture that provides the characters with their step down from the fence -- I've no idea what those grated boxes are for, but they still exist! -- rather than the more familiar cops and dusty roadways of early California.

As Kevin Brownlow observes, when you watch both this film and the French Pathé film "A Pastrycook's Practical Jokes", it is quite obvious that one or the other is a straight remake, for the same episodes occur scene for scene. Again, however, it is fascinating to see the same story so effectively 'translated' into what then becomes in turn a very French environment....

Not Like In My Day

[boblipton · 6/10 · 20 July 2018]

A young boy is hired to help out at a grocery store and to make deliveries. However, he is far more interested in playing tricks than in doing his job.

James Williamson made several notable contributions to the language of the cinema, including early chase films like STOP, THIEF! He was also adept at editing standard actualities together for a story, like FIRE. His best works, I think, are his humorous pieces, like this one.

His young protagonist rambles about the streets of Hove -- several locations are clearly marked -- more intent on the matters of the moment than getting his work done. All in all, it's a humorous and successful character study in ten scenes.

Funny after all these years

[Ham_n_Pickle · 5/10 · 18 April 2005]

I have just seen this short as it is now freely available for download via the BBC/BFI Creative Content license. Whilst not being of the quality of a Buster Keaton or Charley Chaplin short, (although their movies came some 10-12 years later), and the main character, (a young shop delivery boy), being played clumsily and hamming it up for the camera a bit too much, I did have a couple of genuine laughs, (particularly during the scene with the minister and his hat !!). There is very little information about the actors used but I am assuming that the director/actor James Williamson, who appears in the film, enlisted his son, Tom Williamson, as the errand boy. Seemingly the acting bug didn't 'take', (probably not a great loss), as whilst James went on to direct many more films, James has no other credits listed. All in all not a bad way to spend 5 minutes and a small view of the streets of Hove during 1905.

Williamson's Contribution to the Chase

[Cineanalyst · 1 October 2009]

In 1901, James Williamson made "Stop Thief!", which was one of the earliest chase films and inaugurated a popular genre of such films in the early history of film. It was a rather dramatic, crime film. The flip side was the comedic chase, which Williamson subsequently made a few of. The comedic chase probably first appeared in the Edison Company's "Chinese Laundry Scene" (1895), which was based on a vaudeville act. This film, James Williamson's "Our New Errand Boy" is a comedic chase film, at least near the end. The first part is a series of pranks performed by the terror of a child (played all too convincingly by the director's son) on unsuspecting citizens, who eventually end up chasing him, which only brings more glee to the brat.

This is humorous for its kind, and it's well made, as to be expected coming from one of the great pioneers of film editing, especially in regards to the continuity of direction of action across the screen, with such films as "Attack on a China Mission" (1900), "Stop Thief!" and "Fire!" (1901). Williamson also made some of the best early comedies; further evidence of this can be seen in "The Big Swallow" (1901) and "An Interesting Story" (1904), both of which also rely upon editing.

There's uncertainty as to whether this film, "Our New Errand Boy" is a remake of Pathé's "A Pastry Cook's Practical Jokes" (Les Farces de Toto Gâte-Sauce), or whether it's the other way around. Given that the Pathé film was released late in 1905 and that the studio has a long history of stealing from other studios (mostly Méliès), while Williamson has a history of innovation, including in the chase film, I'd wager that Williamson's film is the original.

Brighton Breezy

[JoeytheBrit · 7/10 · 24 October 2009]

This is a particularly impressive effort from 'Brighton School' film pioneer James Williamson which, while it appears quite primitive and over-acted at times is far superior to most other chase films from the era. The story follows the mischievous antics of a young lad as he goes about his chores for a grocer. He's certainly a terror, randomly picking his victims as he roams the streets of Hove. Returning to the store, he finds all those victims waiting for him and the chase begins. Unfazed, the lad soon gets the better of his pursuers.

The role of the young terror was taken by director Williamson's son. He's not a great actor it has to be said, prone to over-exaggerated slapping of his knee as he guffaws unconvincingly, but he does communicate the spirit of mischievous glee of the film. As you;'d expect, Williamson's direction and editing are first-class, and the film includes a very early example of a close-up.