The Cohens and Kellys in Trouble

The Cohen & Kelly series had a long run, but is clearly on the down side by this point, their last feature, and outside of a few short subjects at Columbia into 1934, the characters would soon be retired for good.

But this not a really bad film, it still has funny moments, its weaknesses are in using predictable gags and comic situations, mostly familiar ground for fans of short subjects, and one would assume, movie audiences of the day. This and the rather episodic rhythm of the film are attributable to the director, George Stevens, just graduating from two-reelers to feature production.

The story itself is not too involved, the gist of it is that Kelly's daughter has fallen for a government man, one that Kelly can't stand, though he's not a rum-runner or smuggler, so I guess its just an anti-authority thing Irishmen have. In sum, the course of true love WILL eventually run true, so, thankfully, only the minimum time necessary is spent on that. A snarling, alimony-obsessed ex wife of Kelly's also must be dodged and outwitted.

Some of the high lights have Kelly on his boat trying desperately to hide an illicit bottle of booze from a revenue agent, by trying to pass it to Cohen above deck, and then Cohen trying to toss it in a funnel that empties directly back to Kelly; The pair setting up Andy Devine to marry Kelly's nasty battle axe ex-wife. A couple of low lights would be an out-of-control speed boat chase through Los Angeles Harbor, that was made up of so many long shots of stunt doubles, break-ups and back projections that it lent no thrills at all, and the diner scene where the ever-so-tired redoing of the bit with the bowl of chowder that contains a crab claw that snatches away oyster crackers held close to it.

George Sidney and Charlie Murray-they really should be qualified as a movie team, maybe far distant from Laurel & Hardy or Abbott & Costello, but they played these characters in many films.