Those Awful Hats: A Silent Comedy About Theatre Etiquette (1909)

This 1909 silent comedy, directed by D.W. Griffith, humorously tackles the issue of oversized hats obstructing views in movie theaters. The film begins with a gentleman in a top hat and a series of women wearing increasingly absurd hats entering a theater. Despite requests to remove them, they refuse—until a giant bucket descends from above to forcibly remove one hat. The rest of the audience quickly complies, except for one stubborn woman, who also meets the bucket's comedic justice. A lighthearted critique of social etiquette, this short film remains a charming example of early cinema. Subscribe to Archival Moments for more rare historical content and explore the past with us!