The humor is mostly tedious, and largely consists of the two principals barely tolerating each other. And both are fairly irritating characters, so it's understandable that they would wear on each other's nerves. What's not so understandable is why either of them undertake this adventure, as neither seem really prepared for it. There are indeed good bits/moments -- enough to get a laugh -- but the overall experience is one of constant aggravation and irritation. These people are not pleasant to listen to or be around.
Then I remember: the first name on the title card wasn't Patsy Kelly or Thelma Todd, but Hal Roach. And I realize it's basically a silent comedy from the Teens in terms of plot and pacing, just with talking audible. For all we know, this is what it actually sounded like to make silent comedies. I don't know if that's really the case, but it would certainly explain a lot.
Anyway: there is comedy here, put across by both ladies but especially Patsy Kelly. I appreciate that it isn't especially *girl* humor or *boy* humor; you could do the same scenes with actors of any gender, and it would still work the same -- dependent more on the talents of the particular players than on supporting or refuting social expectations. Which means this not only passes the Bechdel test, but arguably epitomizes the fact that such a test is valid.
