Making a Man of Her

On a dusty Western ranch, a determined young woman wants to land a cook job. To fool the boss, she dresses as a man and steps into a rough and ready disguise. The ruse works at first, but soon the ranch house is full of curious eyes and romantic misunderstandings. Several of the other hands and farm girls mistake the new arrivals for a young man and start pursuing him, leading to a string of comic capers. The silent film uses brisk physical humor, chase scenes, and pratfalls set against sunlit plains, with timing and sight gags driving the laughs. What begins as a simple ruse becomes a playful look at identity and romance in the old West.

Directed by Al Christie, a prolific early film-maker, Making a Man of Her arrived during the silent era as a brisk comedy with Western flavor. It features Louise Glaum and a supporting troupe typical of Christie productions, especially a gag heavy ensemble across scenes.

Box office data for this 1912 release is not readily available. Many silent era titles lack documented grosses, and this film survives mostly in archival listings rather than theater receipts. Even today it offers a snapshot of early distribution practices.

Awards: No major nominations or wins are on record for Making a Man of Her. In the pre studio award era, recognition was scarce for short format Western comedies, and this film built laughs rather than accolades. Its status as a minor curio reflects the era's fast moving production rhythms.

Critics of the time tended to note the light pace and playful disguise gags, underscoring themes of gender expectations and comic misunderstandings. The pairing of a capable heroine with a rugged Western setting aligns with early screen comedies that favored brisk setups and clear jokes, inviting repeat viewing.