Writer/director Ernst Lubitsch also stars in this clever two-reel comedy, playing the devoted husband Ernst, whose marriage to Louise (Louise Schenrich) is made tense by the interferences of his mother-in-law (Lanchen Voss). Ernst goes to his club and gets involved in a lengthy chess match, and Louise's mother works her daughter into a snit and convinces her to divorce him. Ernst moves out and sends Louise a letter threatening suicide, but decides against killing himself. When he sees that Louise has placed a newspaper ad for a butler, Ernst disguises himself and takes the job. He makes sure to spoil the efforts of Louise's suitor, and when he reveals his true identity to her, she is overjoyed to discover he is still alive. Their marriage resumes peacefully, with no more difficulties from Louise's mother. 16/20 ~ Nicole Gagne, Rovi