Better than I remembered might be my best "summation" of this Joe Derita solo. I'm not sure if my enjoyment of it has anything to do with my softening towards Joe Derita himself over the last few years.
About 7 to 10 years ago, my attitude towards Derita might have been the same as many--saying that he was a "passable" stooge and comedian at best, but I've really warmed to Joe to the point that I would say I like him as a comedian. "Like," not love like Curly or Shemp; but like nevertheless.
Getting to Slappily Married, the whole kitchen scene doesn't set me on fire. I think I might be in agreement with Metal and a few other previous reviewers on how someone with a stronger comedic personality might have elevated the same material--and immediately my mind flashes to a Lou Costello.
Fortunately, the laughs--for me--pick up big time when we get to Derita's place of business; the whole business with Jean Willes and the shoes. Now granted--over the course of the Shemp solos--the whole "jealous husband/boyfriend" angle got a bit tiring, but for whatever reasons it works here. Maybe because, for me, it didn't seem to dominate the whole short. But--for whatever reasons--I got a lot of laughs from Dick Wessel and Joe. And, oh yes, Jean and Dorothy fighting over the hat.
I'll wrap this up by saying this was a splendid 17 minute ride for me, given that I didn't have strong recollections of it before watching it again. I'm pretty sure all the Derita solos are not this good & I'll try not to get my hopes too high in the future, but-- taken for what it is--Derita acquits himself quite well in this first solo outing.
7.5 out of 10...
