Character Relationship Map: Slipping Wives

Characters

• The Neglected Wife (played by Priscilla Dean) — protagonist

  The Neglected Wife is married to Husband, an artist who has grown inattentive toward her. To revive his interest, she hires Handyman to make love to her and provoke jealousy, then confesses the scheme...

• Husband (played by Herbert Rawlinson) — supporting

  Husband is an artist married to The Neglected Wife, though he initially shows little interest in her. After learning of her scheme with Handyman, he pretends to be jealous, pulls a gun to frighten the...

• Butler (played by Oliver Hardy) — supporting

  Butler serves in the household of Husband and The Neglected Wife. He fights with Handyman when the latter arrives selling paint, then washes and dresses him for the dinner party. Believing the danger...

• Handyman (played by Stan Laurel) — supporting

  Handyman arrives at the house to sell paint and becomes involved in The Neglected Wife's plan to make Husband jealous. Butler prepares him for the dinner party, where he entertains guests with a panto...

• Hon. Winchester Squirtz (played by Albert Conti) — supporting

Story Analysis

A comedic scheme to rekindle marital passion spirals into chaotic misunderstandings and physical comedy.

Plot Progression

1. The Jealousy Plot — Priscilla feels neglected by her husband Leon and devises a scheme to provoke his jealousy. She recruits Stan, a paint salesman, to play the role of her lover.
2. Preparations and Chaos — Butler fights Stan at the door but is later forced to wash and dress him for the dinner party. Stan entertains the guests with a dramatic pantomime.
3. Confrontation and Revelation — Leon fakes jealousy, pulls a gun, and corners Stan. He reveals his performance was an act to manipulate Priscilla, while Butler chases Stan with a rifle.
4. Resolution and Reconciliation — Butler narrowly avoids shooting a police officer and returns shaken. The misunderstanding clears, and Leon and Priscilla embrace, ending the conflict.