A Returned Engagement

Ford Sterling worked as a comic for Keystone Pictures in the very early days of films. He also made some sound short films for RKO in the 1930s and I recently bought a DVD filled with these later comedies. And, of them, my favorite so far is "A Returned Engagement". It's not brilliant or a film you must see, though it is clever and worth your time.

When the story begins, James Randall Sr. (Sterling) and his wife has learned that their son is about to marry a manicurist. Well, they object strongly and Randall Sr. rushes to put a stop to it. Unfortunately, he finds a woman he THINKS is his son's fiance and tries to buy her off. The woman has no idea what this is about...but likes the idea of a stranger giving her money! Soon, however, her jealous boyfriend, the House Detective (Tom Kennedy) arrives and they spend a lot of energy hiding her from him. Later, the real fiance arrives and he is soon trying to hide TWO women because his wife also arrives! What's next??

The story is clever and energetic....and I enjoyed it.