Hitchcock One by One: THE FARMER'S WIFE (1928)

Who Made It?
Adapted for the screen by Elliot Stannard
Based on the play by Eden Phillpots
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock

Who's In It?
Jameson Thomas as Samuel Sweetland, a Farmer
Lilian Hall-Davis as Araminta Dench, his Housekeeper
Gordon Harker as Churdles Ash, his Handyman
Maud Gill as Thirza Tapper
Louie Pounds as Louisa Windeatt, a Widow
Olga Slade as Mary Hearn, Postmistress
Ruth Maitland as Mercy Bassett

What's It About?
Farmer Sweetland is in the market for a new bride. Can he overcome his towering social incompetence to claim a new partner? Or will he notice and accept the love of the woman who is already by his side?

'Minta (Lilian Hall-Davis) and Farmer Sweetland (Jameson Thomas).

Why Should I See It?
After the death of his wife and the marriage of his daughter, Samuel Sweetland (Jameson Thomaas) is inspired to seek a new wife and, with the assistance of his housekeeper, 'Minta (Lilian Hall-Davis, seen previously in The Ring), compiles a list of likely candidates. Up to this point, the film plays like a drama; but once Mr. Sweetland sets off to call on the first of the lucky ladies, the picture swings fully into comedy mode.

The objects of his affection (Olga Slade, Maud Gill, Louie Pounds). 

And it's a wickedly funny comedy. Farmer Sweetland's odyssey of social missteps is so colossal that one wants to reach into the screen, take him by the shoulders, and give him a productive thrashing. I don't want to ruin any of the laughs; suffice it to say that the humor holds up well and modern audiences may be surprised at some of the racier bits.

The Farmer's Wife is notable for the quantity of first-person shots from the point of view of Sweetland's prospective wives. Over and over we are harangued by the indignant farmer's long silent monologues. This may sound a bit surreal, but Jameson Thomas's expressive face really makes it work.

The film also has a bit of a feminist bent. Throughout the picture, Farmer Sweetland seems to expect his targets to immediately and gratefully accept his proposals. Instead, time and again, he is firmly rebuffed by women who are firmly in control of their own affairs without the aid of a paternalistic partner (even if the women are sometimes portrayed as a bit goofy—this is a comedy, after all).

What Else?
The Farmer's Wife is really a great picture—once it gets going. The film's first act is a little too slow and a little too serious, but it's worth sitting through for what comes after. Also, without giving anything away, I'm a little surprised that the ultimate conclusion wasn't a little better forshadowed earlier in the picture. It almost feels like a bit of an afterthought when it comes.

There are times when The Farmer's Wife, especially in its first act, reminds me of D.W. Griffith's pastoral films (the best of which is probably True Heart Susie). The emphasis on location, on an idealized, British rural setting is very similar to Griffith's evocation of a glorified, idyllic American scene.

Where Can I See It?
Unfortunately, The Farmer's Wife has yet to see a properly-presented DVD or blu-ray release in the US. It is easily available on any number of low-quality, budget compilation sets. The version that I viewed is included in "Alfred Hitchcock: The Legend Begins". It's perfectly watchable, but could be much better.

The Farmer's Wife is currently undergoing a major restoration by the British Film Institute. Here’s hoping we see a sparkling new edition soon!

What's the Bottom Line?
The Farmer's Wife is a successful and rewarding silent comedy, not what most audiences will expect from a Hitchcock picture, but ripe for rediscovery in the 21st century.

Special Note
While writing this it came to my attention that I botched the chronology a little: we should have viewed Easy Virtue between The Ring and Downhill. We'll watch that one next before we move onward to Champagne.