Their First Mistake

Their First Mistake

Directed by George Marshall

Produced by Hal Roach Studios, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

193221 min6.4 / 10

A slapstick comedy about marital mishap and male incompetence, where two bumbling friends must care for an adopted baby after one's wife leaves him.

Mrs Hardy is annoyed that her husband Oliver seems to spend more time with his friend Stanley than with her. After a furious argument, Mrs Hardy says that she is through if Ollie goes out with Stan again. Stan suggests that Ollie adopts a baby, which he does. Unfortunately, his wife has left their apartment on returning, and a process server delivers a paper informing Ollie that she is suing him for divorce, naming Stan as correspondent. The boys are now left to look after the infant on their own.

Questions people ask

  • Is Their First Mistake violent? No. Less violent than 92% of films.

  • Is Their First Mistake sad? Not especially. Less sad than 67% of films.

  • Is Their First Mistake easy watching? Somewhat. More comforting than 67% of films.

  • Is Their First Mistake scary? Not especially. Less frightening than 65% of films.

  • Does Their First Mistake end with hope? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

49/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Familiar shape, done well.

Rarity33

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise80

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love40

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Like Their First Mistake

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as Their First Mistake

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like Their First Mistake, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like Their First Mistake, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like Their First Mistake, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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