Biddy Brady's Birthday - Production & Contact Info (original) (raw)

Biddy's husband, Patrick, was one of the most popular drivers in the Street Cleaning Department. His principal fault in Biddy's eyes was that he never cared to hurry off to work, and one morning she rebuked him bitterly. He partly ...See moreBiddy's husband, Patrick, was one of the most popular drivers in the Street Cleaning Department. His principal fault in Biddy's eyes was that he never cared to hurry off to work, and one morning she rebuked him bitterly. He partly mollified her by his explanation: "It is your birthday, Biddy, dear, and I was thinking up a great surprise for you." Toward the close of that day, when Pat had dumped his cart at the place appointed, he stepped in the shade of the cart to light his pipe. He only had one match and that went out. While looking about his eyes happened to fall upon a bottle which was lying on the rubbish heap. He took it up and opened it; a cloud of smoke came out and from it emerged a genie. This apparition thanked him for his kindness and voluntarily offered to grant the next three wishes he might make, also the next three wishes of his wife. Pat wished that his pipe be lighted. This was accomplished without the aid of matches, and as he had no more commands for the genie at the time the visitor vanished after explaining that when Pat wanted him again he should clap his hands thrice. Pat proceeded on his homeward way. He went with a chum to a nearby saloon to get a glass of beer. In the meantime, Biddy, not knowing that the gift of three granted wishes had been bestowed upon her, utilizes her wishes wastefully. She was washing clothes in the kitchen, and as it was warm, she wished that it would be cooler. It immediately became so chilly she had to wrap herself in a shawl and naturally enough wished that it was warmer again. The third wish went into effect when she noticed by the clock that her husband was overdue and she wished that if he was in Riley's saloon he would come out and start for home. This explained why Pat left the place very hastily and very much against his own wishes. Arriving at the outside of his home he happened to think it was his wife's birthday and he had entirely neglected a birthday surprise as he promised. He summoned the genie, explained the circumstances to him and the visitor from the other world after looking in the window of the house said loftily: "I can change that wretched room into an Egyptian Harem." The driver consented to the transformation, and it took place much to Biddy's surprise. Running outside she found her husband, and the two returned into the house. There Pat unwisely explained that the change was his little surprise for her and she became enraged. She rolled up her sleeves and prepared to chastise her husband, but he hid under a piece of furniture and before she could dislodge him had summoned the genie and withdrew his third and last wish, "Put everything back as it was and beat it." This the genie did and the house at once resumed its former appearance. Biddy, believing that something unusual had occurred and doubting the evidence of her own eyes, questioned Pat and he craftily told her he had not seen any of the remarkable changes, adding, "I fear you have been drinking again, Biddy, darling, and on your birthday, too." The crestfallen wife admitted the accusation, took the flask from the pocket of her apron, threw it out and promised never to give cause for offense again. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less