I enjoyed this Charley Chase film short slightly better than the one I saw the other day, "The Pip From Pittsburg', also featuring Thelma Todd. Still, having seen only a couple now, I can't quite warm up to Chase's style of comedy which seems exaggerated and forced to me. Contrast that with contemporaries Laurel and Hardy and the differences are apparent.
The premise here was a good one though; Chase, who just inherited millions, and Todd who's independently wealthy, are both wary of gold-diggers who might have designs on their money. Chase's comedy style appears rather physical here, dumping prospective suitors on their keester and in general manhandling them rather vigorously. Todd in particular took a few bumps that looked like they might have hurt, although she came up smiling each time. It didn't look like she had a stand-in, so kudos to her for taking her lumps.
Early film fans will also get a treat from catching James Finlayson and Edgar Kennedy in this short. Finlayson takes his share of pratfalls as well playing house detective at the lodge they were all staying in. An interesting sight gag I had to do a double take on had to do with the coin operated radio in Charley's guest room - it stated 'Play the radio 25 cents, Drop 1 to 30 coins'. How the heck does that work?
One last thought as this picture came to a close. It finally occurred to me that part of my aversion to Chase's brand of comedy might lie in his physical appearance. In 1930 it wouldn't have been apparent yet, but the Adolf Hitler mustache he sported certainly seems like a turn off today.
The premise here was a good one though; Chase, who just inherited millions, and Todd who's independently wealthy, are both wary of gold-diggers who might have designs on their money. Chase's comedy style appears rather physical here, dumping prospective suitors on their keester and in general manhandling them rather vigorously. Todd in particular took a few bumps that looked like they might have hurt, although she came up smiling each time. It didn't look like she had a stand-in, so kudos to her for taking her lumps.
Early film fans will also get a treat from catching James Finlayson and Edgar Kennedy in this short. Finlayson takes his share of pratfalls as well playing house detective at the lodge they were all staying in. An interesting sight gag I had to do a double take on had to do with the coin operated radio in Charley's guest room - it stated 'Play the radio 25 cents, Drop 1 to 30 coins'. How the heck does that work?
One last thought as this picture came to a close. It finally occurred to me that part of my aversion to Chase's brand of comedy might lie in his physical appearance. In 1930 it wouldn't have been apparent yet, but the Adolf Hitler mustache he sported certainly seems like a turn off today.
