Bettina's Substitute

I loved this film. It's a 1912 comedy about a woman named - naturally - Bettina.

Bettina has an office job, working for a lecherous old coot who is more than twice her age. Bossman takes advantage of his position to hit on Bettina - pinching her cheeks and invading her personal space.

This was 1912, though. The term "sexual harassment" didn't exist, and wouldn't for decades yet. What was a woman of that time to do, when protesting could cost her her job? What if she were not only fired, but unable to find employment due to her former boss' influence? There was no legal recourse, and it would have been her word against his.

Bettina, depressed, tells her mother and her fiance, Billy, what has happened. There are no titles to show what Billy is saying, but the meaning is clear; he shakes his fists angrily, ready to storm off to Bettina's workplace and give the boss what for.

Bettina has a better idea. A much better idea. She calms Billy down, and (again, no title cards) begins to explain to him. Billy's response is enthusiastic, and I knew, watching it, what she was suggesting.

I was right. The next time we see Billy, he's outfitted in a dress. Bettina hands him a wig and a hat, turning him into a solidly-built, unattractive female. With the black eyeliner that was so common in film makeup of those days, of course. She hands him a note explaining that she is sick, and has sent her friend to work for her until she can return to the office.

Billy charges off and presents himself to Mr. Lecher, who takes about five seconds to start up with Billy - using the same tactics he used with Bettina; he's not very original. Billy promptly turns the tables, pinching the boss' cheeks and chasing him around the office until the boss, terrified, flees the building and takes a cab (horse-drawn!) back to his house. Unknown to him, Billy is going along for the ride, clinging to the back of the cab.

Once home, Billy follows the boss inside, to find him talking to his wife. Shock! Horror! Oh, how DARE he put the moves on Billy when he's a married man! And just look at his wife! How on earth did he end up with her? After raising hell, Billy storms out, pausing in the doorway with a "humph!" expression and a stamp of the foot.

After his departure, of course, Mrs. Boss proceeds to beat the hell out of her husband.

AFTERMATH: Bettina returns to work, with Billy - this time dressed in his own clothing. She shows her new ring to her boss, who duly admires it, then introduces him to Billy. After shaking hands, Billy pulls out the wig and puts it on, to the horror of the boss. After having a hearty laugh at his expense, the two depart.

One of the things that really impressed me about this film was Billy's eagerness to help his girlfriend, even including taking her place at the office, in drag. There is no hint of Billy worrying that his family or friends might see him. He doesn't think that anyone might question his sexual orientation. Dress like a woman? Well, why not? He agrees instantly, very gung ho about the whole thing, and he plays his part beautifully.

It's one of those intriguing windows into the past. What of all the women out there who didn't have a Billy on their side? And how many men outside of fiction would really be willing to defend their girlfriends in this manner? None, probably. The film allows us to imagine that such things could happen, but audiences know that they didn't. My hope is that Bettina's Substitute shed light on some of the problems facing working women (O. Henry also wrote about it), and helped to implement some changes in the workplace.