Pink Pajamas

A 1929 Mack Sennett silent short for distribution through Pathe, PINK PAJAMAS stars Billy Bevan as a man with a jealous wife, and Vernon Dent as his next door neighbor, a super-jealous husband. If you've ever seen a Leon Errol short, you've seen the various complications that happen here, although it's nice to see them in a silent context: the neighbor's spouse locked out in the hall, the guy caught in the neighbor's apartment in his bathrobe or something who has to hide in the closet, the lingerie delivered to the wrong address, etc. etc. Classic comic situations like these never date, and with pros such as Billy Bevan (he of the walrus mustache) and Vernon Dent (who had a great comic pairing with Monte Collins at this time, and who is best known for his work with the Three Stooges), the comedy never lets up, and director Phil Whitman keeps the pace steady. Interestingly, the title card says that this short is part of a "tired businessman's series." Since we never really get into the exact jobs of these two men, are the tired businessmen the ones who are in the audience WATCHING this film? Well, I can't ask Mack Sennett, can I? Overall, this is a very good late-silent comedy short featuring two men who I never tire of watching (and also fine support from Natalie Joyce and Anna Ward as the respective spouses--whichever lady plays Dent's wife is quite sexy and seductive!).