Making an American Citizen

The implication that Russian immigrants were wife beating slave drivers is pretty laughable, especially since they assume the solution is somehow American culture. But aside from that, most of the film is just substanceless non-sense which gives no context for why any of these things could or would happen and just assumes these conclusions based on its questionable archetypes. Still shots of a Russian beating his wife on dated technology isn't exactly what I'd call engaging.

A bizarre bit of "educational" contract work from Alice Guy's American period. Stock-comedy immigrant "Ivan Orloff" is a violent, lazy lout who beats upon his wife and treats her (quite literally) as a beast of burden. Thankfully, there is always a helpful neighbor around the corner to pummel a proper American work ethic and respect towards women into him (?!), until 6 months of incarceration finally set his priorities straight. The direction lends this all a certain archness, but still...

Domestic abuse lol.