A Nag in the Bag

This Smith & Dale comedy is included in the recent release of the first part of Charley Chase's Columbia Pictures comedies. Why is it included? Because Charley directed this one--and he also directed quite a few other comedies during his career.

The vaudeville comedians Smith & Dale made very few films and most of their successes came on stage. I think their film career suffered a bit due to their ethnic style and corn-ball humor--which was certainly not in vogue during the 1930s. But, they were pretty funny and seeing them is such a rare thing, you should give this one a look.

Here in "Nag in the Bag" the pair own a lunch counter. In addition, they spend a lot of their time betting on races...and losing. So what happens when they get a great lead in an upcoming race? See it for yourself.

Is this a brilliant comedy? Nah. But, for anyone who loves comedy history, it's worth seeing. And, it's a nice chance to see the sort of humor the team excelled in doing during their heyday.

By the way, pay attention to the voice on the radio--it's Charley. Additionally, the old guy with glasses at the counter is Chester Conklin--a very familiar face in the old Mack Sennett comedies of the 1910s.