Home Early (1939)

In a rare turn of events, Joe Doakes, portrayed by the adroit Robert Benchley, wraps up his work early, hoping to surprise his wife by returning home ahead of time. However, the surprise is on him when he steps into his house to find it teeming with chatter and laughter from his wife's lively bridge party. As the house fills with the animated murmurs of around fifteen women, including his wife, Joe suddenly feels like a stranger in his own abode. Suspicious glances and not-so-subtle whispers follow him as he navigates the busy rooms, making him feel trapped and uncomfortable. His son Junior, relegated to the upstairs due to the unexpected invasion, shares his sense of displacement. Desperate for some semblance of normalcy, he ventures out to retrieve the evening newspaper, only to find that even this simple task stirs the hive of gossiping women. In the confines of the cellar, Joe stumbles upon his home-brew stash, sampling a few to bolster his spirits. Driven by the need to regain control, Joe and Junior embark on a daring plan. Joe, inspired by a spark of mischief and a few glasses of home-brew, dons an Indian costume and erupts onto the scene, tomahawk in hand, with a raucous war cry. He hopes his antics will amuse the bridge party and reclaim his space, but his plan may not have the desired effect. "Home Early" is a riotous exploration of domestic life flipped upside down, a tale of a man battling the unexpected invasion of his sanctuary, and the lengths he will go to reclaim his space.

Home Early is a comedy movie featuring Robert Benchley.

Home Early is currently streaming on TCM.