| When Do We Eat? | |
| Director: | Fred Niblo |
| Producer: | Thomas H. Ince |
| Starring: | Enid Bennett Albert Ray |
| Cinematography: | Robert Newhard |
| Editing: | W. Duncan Mansfield |
| Distributor: | Famous Players–Lasky |
| Runtime: | 50 minutes |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | Silent with English intertitles |
When Do We Eat? is a 1918 American silent comedy film directed by Fred Niblo.[1]
Nora, an actress (Enid Bennett), is performing in an adaptation of Uncle Tom's Cabin in a Texas town. A sheriff enters with an attachment against the show. Nora, dressed as Little Eva, escapes from the venue and gets onto a train. A tramp makes advances towards her, causing her to jump from the train. She lands in a field and is arrested for looking suspicious.
She is saved from jail by Ma Forbes (Gertrude Claire), who is after someone to help her with some residents at her boarding house. The boarders "Soup" McCool (Jack Nelson) and "Pug" Hennessy (Robert McKim) are actually criminals. They con Ma's son, James (Albert Ray) out of $300. They then plan a bank robbery with the help of Nora. They think she is a safecracker, who they've been expecting. Nora plays along, and opens the safe, as she was given the combination from James. Once the safe has been cracked, Nora raises the alarm and the crooks are caught. Afterwards, James proposes to Nora.
Variety gave the film a positive review, commenting approvingly on the direction and photography. The review praised the cast, down to the extras, and singled out Enid Bennett for her "very good work as the little barnstormer". Variety called the film, "a pleasing and original picture," and concluded, "Such pictures are not seen often enough."[2]