This is a very enjoyable comedy about a family of three, and their amusing but frustrating day, spent at an amusement park. Mabel Normand couldn't be anymore irresistible as she plays the adventurous daughter, who steals away from her boring parents and meets up with Fatty Arbuckle for some real fun. The pacing of this comedy is perfect, but what fascinated me the most about the film , is the amazing Idora Amusement Park in Oakland, California. A perfect location for the comic antics of Mable Normand and Fatty Arbuckle. I found an 1915 newspaper article of that day describing the filming of this comedy. It quotes; "Idora Park would make an ideal motion picture studio for comedy stuff", declared Roscoe Arbuckle at the close of a big day at Idora, making movies for the public. Also from the public; It is more fun making movies than seeing them, according to the throngs of visitors. Many of them "got into the picture". Those who were brought into the "movie" will watch anxiously to see themselves on the screen!. It also describes Mabel having to go down the slide many times before her dress behaved just right,much to the delight of the gathering crowd. The merry atmosphere of the day displays easily on the screen, and each character's performance is good. Along with the most amazing cinematography of the time, the carousel scene is marvellous and even the ice-cream cones look delicious!. This film was a lot of fun to watch and a lovely nostalgic view of the past.
Review of Mabel's Wilful Way
