Review of Match Play

Match Play (1930)
5/10
Par for the Course
28 September 2012
Bud Jamison has a bet with Marjorie Beebe: he and her father, Andy Clyde, will each choose a partner and play a round of golf. If papa wins, he will extend the lease on their golf course for ten years, instead of developing it. If Bud wins, Marjorie will marry him. After she agrees, he reveals that his partner is golf champion Leo Diegel. However, when Walter Hagen walks in, Andy grabs him.

These golf movies were popular during the first decade of the sound era -- at least among producers. George Marshall would direct a dozen starring Bobby Jones in 1931 which were intended as instructional movies. Having no interest in the game, I find this to be little more than Andy and Bud wandering around a golf course, arguing. Nor have I ever seen a Mack Sennett movie before for the pleasure of the dialogue.

The cinematography is good enough that you can actually see the golf balls in flight. On the other hand the outdoor shooting renders the sound track hissy and echo-y. Definitely not one of Sennett's better movies -- even if Roscoe Arbuckle had a hand in the script.
0 out of 0 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed