Among the hundreds of one-reel comedies Max Linder made, MAX TAKES TONICS (in French MAX VICTIME DU QUINQUINA) from 1911 stands as one of his best. Here, Max suffers from an illness, and so his doctors orders him to take one glass of wine with tonic water to each meal. Max does as he is told, but too much so; as he's handed a ridiculously large glass by his maid, he soon finds himself quite drunk. In these circumstances he decides on a night out, whereby he soon finds himself offending a series of respectable gentlemen --a South American diplomat, and even the chief of police himself-- all of whom give him their card and challenge him to a duel. Each time our drunken friend is pestered by a cop, he simply hands the officer one of "his" cards, leading the cops to believe that Max is the cards' rightful owner and thus "cannot" be arrested. From this neatly constructed scenario unfolds a very funny little comedy that holds up well to this day. Around 1911, Linder was at the peak of his popular fame, and no wonder; his performance is out-and-out hilarious, and he's thoroughly engaging to watch in every scene.
This short film is included on Grapevine's DVD Comedy of Max Linder. Unfortunately, the copy presented there isn't in the best of shape, and provides only French intertitles. Let's hope that someone, someday will have the opportunity to release the big DVD box-set Max Linder deserves, and that this film then will be included, restored and remastered.
This short film is included on Grapevine's DVD Comedy of Max Linder. Unfortunately, the copy presented there isn't in the best of shape, and provides only French intertitles. Let's hope that someone, someday will have the opportunity to release the big DVD box-set Max Linder deserves, and that this film then will be included, restored and remastered.