This is funny, largely due to the creative efforts of Edward Bernds, who wrote and directed many of the THREE STOOGES comedy shorts and the BOWERY BOYS.
This episode borrows from the Stooges with lots of wacky stuff happening, especially to Dagwood.
For starters, he meets his no nonsense new neighbor Mr. Conroy, played by Arthur Loft. He gets behind the wheel of his car and wrecks it, prompting Conroy to sue him BIG TIME.
Next, enter Shemp Howard (just before he joined the Three Stooges) playing Jim Gray, a goofy process server who wants to serve Dagwood court papers from Conroy. Shemp steals lots of scenes, without too much surprise. It's a shame he did not return to the series because he and Arthur Lake were a perfect match.
In the meanwhile, Mr. Dithers has a minor fender bender with a guy named Peabody (played by Jerome Cowan) --picks a fight with him --only to discover he's a future client with lots of money. So not to mess things up further, Dithers cleverly
arranges for Dagwood to pretend he's him and for Dithers to pretend he's Dagwood? The scene with Shemp trying to figure out WHO to serve the summons to is priceless.
Best comes last...
In an outrageous change of pace, Dagwood becomes a "patient" for two eccentric doctors (Ludwig Donath and Stevan Geray) who are testing out a new truth serum? It pays 500 bucks, which Dagwood needs to pay back Mr. Conroy.
Somehow it all makes sense right to the end, again thanks to Ed Bernds' excellent comedy writing.
Note, Bernds holds the record for being nominated for an Oscar (for best screenplay) which was an absolute mistake. He wrote the Bowery Boys film HIGH SOCIETY, which had the same title of the Grace Kelly film, the latter nominated for an Academy Award. Bernds notified the Academy of the mistake, and was allowed to keep a placque that nominated him for Best Screenwriter. Super trivia question.
Good support from Jerome Cowan, who would replace Jonathan Hale as Dagwood's new boss in the next episode. Hale left the series to move on to other film projects. Also one of the last screen appearances of Arthur Loft, who died suddenly not too long after this film. Loft appeared in a long list of movies, and some classics; THE BLUE DAHLIA and THE GLASS KEY.
10 Stars, especially for Shemp Howard. We love him. Thanks much to MOVIES Net for running this great series Saturday mornings.
