Joe Martin Turns 'Em Loose

About This Movie

So, Joe Martin Turns 'Em Loose is this oddball little comedy from 1915, directed by Rex De Rosselli. The premise is amusingly bizarre: an old maid gets a telegram about an inheritance and, instead of cash or trinkets, she gets a full-sized orangutan. The pacing is quite brisk, keeping you engaged with the chaos that ensues once the creature escapes. The practical effects, especially for the time, are charming—quite a feat to have a live orangutan interacting with the human cast. The performances, particularly from the old maid, are delightfully exaggerated, which adds to the overall whimsical atmosphere. It’s distinctive in its blend of slapstick and whimsical mishaps, making it one of those curiosities that just sticks with you.

Interesting use of animal antics in silent comedy.A unique look at inheritance themes through humor.Captures the essence of early 20th-century filmmaking.