His Extra Bit

About This Movie

So, 'His Extra Bit' is quite the curiosity from 1918. It’s this short that centers on the Reid family as they bicker over purchasing bonds for the war effort, which is a pretty neat slice of life from that era. There's this interesting dynamic where even the cooks are in on the whole bond-buying trend, which adds a layer of social commentary. The pacing is brisk, typical of shorts from that time, and it's all wrapped up in a lighthearted tone that feels both earnest and a bit whimsical. The performances capture that era’s charm, and while there's no major director credited, it’s a neat example of how film was used to rally support during WWI. You can really sense the community spirit they were trying to evoke.

'His Extra Bit' is a rare gem from the WWI era, with limited format history and few surviving prints. Collector interest tends to lean toward its historical significance rather than cinematic merit, but it serves as a fascinating window into early 20th-century American life. The scarcity of this short makes it a curiosity for those interested in wartime propaganda films, especially from a time when film was beginning to take on more serious societal roles.