Ask Father (1919)

In the bustling heart of the city, a bespectacled, debt-ridden youth, affectionately known as "the Boy", finds himself hopelessly enamored with a charming young woman who has no shortage of eager suitors. With a heart bursting with love, the Boy decides to take the traditional route, intending to ask her hard-nosed father for her hand in marriage. Little does he know, this seemingly simple task is as Herculean as they come, for her father is the busiest businessman in town, his office a fortress that few have penetrated. The Boy's quest to secure a meeting with the father turns into a whirlwind of misadventures, a dizzying carousel of comedic mishaps and thwarted attempts. His resilience is put to the test as he is ejected time and time again, each dismissal more inventive than the last. The father, determined not to give his beloved daughter away, proves a formidable adversary, leaving the Boy to navigate the labyrinthine gauntlet of his office. As this delightfully chaotic dance unfolds, the young woman waits patiently, her heart yearning for the Boy to succeed. Yet, amidst the repeated rejections and relentless office chaos, the Boy may have overlooked a critical step in his romantic quest, threatening to derail his pursuit of love. Will he realize his mistake before it's too late, or will his ardent love story remain a tale of unfulfilled longing?

Ask Father is a comedy movie featuring Bebe Daniels.

Ask Father is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.