OF THE BIG Hollywood studios, somebody had to b the smallest of biggest (so to speak). Along with PARAMOUNT, MGM, 20th CENTURY-FOX and WARNER BROTHERS, we had RKO RADIO PICTURES. Dubbed "the Little Major", RKO filled that very bill.
WHEREAS THERE WERE many, many great pictures to come out of their production schedules were award winning and even truly "classic", the same really couldn't be said of their Short Subjects department. That isn't to say that they didn't try.
THE ROSTER OF series starring either individuals or comedy teams varied in the studio's history. From the earliest days, we were presented with "Broadway Headliners", which was a sort of catch all, umbrella title designed to give a sort of readily identifiable symbol of "here comes time to laugh!"* SO WE HAD greatly varied fare which prominently featured names like: W.C. Fields, Clarke & McCullough (long time), Billy Gilbert, Benny Rubin, Gil Lamb and Edgar Kennedy.
LONG HAVING BEEN support in both features as well in short subjects, Mr. Kennedy brought a wealth of experience to the RKO product. Countless appearances in a multitude of silent comedies from the likes of Sennett, Roach and many others.
AS FAR AS his starring role, Edgar's screen persona varied not one iota. He always managed to not only get by with his crabby, crotchety and patented "slow burn." Being able to get such incredible mileage from this seemingly limited routine did require a carefully crafted balance in its presentations.
AS FOR THIS short, today's honoured reviewee, RADIO RAMPAGE, we found it to be most captivating and heavy in the most important category of all. It delivers those commendably. In a broad sort of way, this (and some of the other Edgar Kennedy series, has a sort of structural resemblance to so many of those early sound Laurel & Hardy shorts that involved domestic strife.^^ WE'VE LONG FELT that Edgar Kennedy should get a close look by film fandom and TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES did just that this past week.
THANX, Ted! NOTE: ^ The regular and repetitive use of the musical cue was employed by the studio. The earlier shorts did it with an extended opening of the first line of YANKEE DOODLE. This was later superseded with the full rendition of CHOP STICKS.
NOTE: ** This is a remarkable relationship and is also evidence of how these EDGAR KENNEDY shorts are ancestral to so many TV sitcoms.
