I've seen quite a few Zasu Pitts/Thelma Todd films lately and frankly I haven't been overly impressed. Despite coming from Hal Roach, these shorts don't even come close to the quality of Laurel and Hardy or Our Gang/Little Rascals. In fact, they don't even surpass the Boy Friends series from Roach (which I used to think were the worst series films from Roach). The problem is that Zasu and Thelma have practically no chemistry together. They seem to be very unlikely friends and don't have much of a spark between them. It's obvious that this is a lower-tier series, as the usual Hal Roach quality just isn't so apparent.
As for this movie, it starts with probably the worst rear-projected driving scenes I have ever seen. It is so ridiculously unreal and faked that it is obvious Roach and company just didn't care. The similar scene from Laurel and Hardy's COUNTY HOSPITAL isn't a great rear-projected sequence either, but compared to this one, it's a masterpiece! The out of control stunt driver sequence culminates in the Zasu severely damaging a farm and the farmer decides to keep the car until they pay for damages. So, naturally what will happen next? Yep, a lion escapes from the circus and runs amok on the farm!! Contrived? You betcha. Funny? No.
