At present only about two reels of this late-silent Universal comedy survive, enough to give you an idea of the plot -- Kathryn Crawford, a dress designer, is married to Charley Chase, which must be kept secret for some reason, and Parisian couturier Jean Hersholt wants to take her to Paris to study under him -- euphemisms, always euphemisms. The current surviving sections start with Charley in a very funny gag, follow through for a bit, and then jump to the predictable ending.
As Universal dumped almost all its silent footage in 1948, it seemed for a long time that this was all that survived -- a terrible fate for Charley Chase fans. However, the word at Slapsticon '07 is that there are private collectors out there with enough footage to just about make up the entire movie and Universal is interested..... so stay tuned.
July 14, 2008: I have just heard that this movie has been restored and will be exhibited in Syracuse this summer. I look forward to hearing impressions of it and hope to see the restoration for myself some time.
July 17, 2010
Well, three years have passed and I have finally seen the restored version -- Universal spent the money for no good reason except that it pleases film fans to have their films. Bravo!
The first two thirds of this part-talkie are very good. Like most part-talkies, the first half is a silent, and the second half is a talkie. And for two thirds of the movie, through the end of the party scene -- watch out for Anita Garvin, Roach's go-to gal for sexy shrews and a great series of reaction shots -- this is a great picture. I would guess that Chase directed his comedy gags and the dinner scene which is great comedy as Chase makes a fool of Jean Hersholt and the diners. But afterwards, it turns serious and rather dull -- Kathryn Crawford is awful in her line readings and Chase is dull and slow. As with far too many comedies, the plot interferes with the fun.
Still, I am vastly pleased that Universal spent the money. If they ever decide to release this on DVD for the nine copies they think the can sell, I'll make it ten.
