scsu1975

This is an excellent comedy and consistently funny. Lloyd learns that his girlfriend, who works for a doctor, is about to be laid off because business is poor. So he goes out and creates some chaos to ensure a steady stream of patients. Then, when he mistakenly thinks his girlfriend is going to marry someone else, he tries to commit suicide - the operative word being "tries." Each attempt ends in failure, with each attempt funnier than the previous one. The climactic scene has him dangling on a steel girders; if you're like me and can't stand heights, these scenes are extremely effective. One laugh after another - don't miss this one.

Peter Lane lives by himself in an old houseboat. During a storm one night, a woman and her small son Buddy seek shelter with Lane. The woman dies the next day from exposure, and when the attending physician assumes the woman and Buddy are Lane's wife and son, Lane does not correct him. One day, a tramp named Booge tries to take off on the boat while Lane is looking for food. Lane stops him, then decides to take on Booge if he helps with the chores. Together, the two men take care of Buddy. Lane uses his jack-knife to carve wooden animals for Buddy, while Booge amuses the boy with songs and woodwork. Complications ensue when the town's Justice of the Peace, Briggles, tries to take Buddy away from Lane.

This is a sweet film, and highly recommended. It is unfortunate the print on YouTube is mediocre, but the film is still watchable. The acting is solid across the board. Kelso is very cute. All the main performers were in their 40s, 50s and, in the case of Lane, 60s, and yet this seems like a film to be enjoyed by all ages. King Vidor's wife Florence has a small but pivotal role near the end of the film.

There is also an amusing subplot involving the Widow Potter (well-played by Lillian Leighton) and her attempts to hook Lane. An unforeseen twist late in the film makes the final scene at fadeout very poignant and bittersweet.

Mary McGuire works as a hat-check girl, but she is canned when her boss sees her dancing with a customer's coat. Mary sees an ad for a hostess/dancer at the Peach Tree Inn, and applies for the job. She convinces the manager she is really Gloria Du Moine, a famous dancer who has been involved in scandal with the Duke de Sauterne. At the Inn, she meets Jimmie Calhoun, son of a rich Wall Street bigwig. Jimmie's father thinks Mary is a gold-digger, and sets out to prove it. Meanwhile, the Duke shows up and Mary finds herself in a mess. Will true love win out?

This is a fun film, smartly directed and acted, and moves along at a great pace. Murray is a terrific physical comedienne, and Valentino (looking like he is barely out of high school) shows a good flair for comedy. The supporting cast is quite good, and the conclusion is hilarious. While there are no belly laughs, this is a pleasant film and a good way to kill an hour.