The workers have shut down the plant by striking -- why was it called 'industrial action' when it meant inactivity? -- when the boss rejects all of their demands. In retaliation, they decide to blow up the factory. T man chosen by the committee to do the deed leaves the bomb at home, and gone to orate to the union. His wife calls to tell him that a fire has started, and they're trapped in the bedroom.
One of the moral points that a lot of Alice Guy's films made is that character is what you are in a crisis, when there is no time to think: do or don't. That's what goes on here, and it leads to an interesting conclusion.
There's an undercranked action scene in here, and at one point, Madame Guy's technique calls for two people to be on a telephone call with each other. A different director might cut from one performer to the other. Madame Guy splits the screen in half to show you their reactions simultaneously.
One of the moral points that a lot of Alice Guy's films made is that character is what you are in a crisis, when there is no time to think: do or don't. That's what goes on here, and it leads to an interesting conclusion.
There's an undercranked action scene in here, and at one point, Madame Guy's technique calls for two people to be on a telephone call with each other. A different director might cut from one performer to the other. Madame Guy splits the screen in half to show you their reactions simultaneously.