You Said a Mouthful

Joe E. Brown is a member of that exclusive club of actors (such as "Singin' in the Rain's" Jean Hagen) who would probably be forgotten but for one role that made them immortal. (You may at one time have been exposed to Brown's "Nobody's perfect.") Before today, I'd have run out of Brown roles after a second (Cap'n Andy in "Showboat").

But TCM, bless its heart, has been running a festival of Brown films from the early sound era, which showcase the young Joe as a superb physical comedian as well as the yowling rubberface we remember so fondly.

"You Said a Mouthful" seems typical of Brown's early films: The naive and good-hearted Joe gets himself caught up in a sticky situation that is ultimately resolved through a display of goofy yet surprisingly impressive physical prowess (reminiscent of, although nowhere nearly as surreal as, Keaton's). And because of the physical nature of the comedy, much of the action takes place outdoors, which makes the films seem fresher and more grounded in reality, in spite of all the old cars and "funny" clothes. Also (even though I've seen nothing I would call vulgar or even risque), the fact that these films were made before the stranglehold of the Production Code seems to allow for a much fresher attitude towards physical expression (including the occasional glimpse of a little harmless flesh) than you'd see in films made just a few years later (and which now seem far more antique).

Is it time for a re-appreciation of Joe E. Brown?

It has been a few days since I viewed "You Said a Mouthful," but it has stayed in memory so strongly, even with having seen other films since then. There are several things about this film that I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated. The film, no doubt, has a comedic undercurrent, with the story swirling in impracticality, but it has a near-serious air nonetheless, albeit built on an absurd premise. The wilder moments of hilarity are kept wisely to a successful few. The beautifully accomplished editing in this program must have been a challenge.

Joe E. Brown gives a thoughtful and admirable acting performance between his bouts of comedic antics. His physicality is impressive, too. The interdependent relationship between Brown and young Allen Hoskins is highly affecting and serves to ameliorate Brown's too-easy shedding of personal integrity in his effort to do something of value for the world, in particular inventing the unsinkable bathing suit. As the film moves along we come to feel sympathy for Brown's constantly finding himself a victim of ridicule and bad luck, so we also come to forgive him for his habitual disregard of scruples.

The film is given sexual energy by Ginger Rogers' presence, who provides a stabilizing and glamorous softness to the film; she is, of course, the primary reason Brown's character enters the swim competition and strives to win the race. Rogers seems quite comfortable in her interplay with Brown.

The movie has some eerily atmospheric moments underwater, too, which only make the movie all the more different and captivating. Additionally, the scenes around 1930's Avalon are bonus treats for the viewer. I can remember when swims across the channel were followed with much curiosity and passion many decades ago, so in this way the film serves as a historical document of sorts, too. It is also nostalgic to see the legendary SS Catalina moving into the harbor in Avalon.

In summary, "You Said a Mouthful" has a lot going for it and deserves recognition as a respectable and highly entertaining film. Fans of 1930's films need to give it a chance, while fans of Joe E. Brown and/or Ginger Rogers definitely should see it.

Director: Lloyd Bacon Writers: Robert Lord (screen play), Bolton Mallory (screen play) Stars: Joe E. Brown, Ginger Rogers, Preston Foster

1932's You Said a Mouthful is a charming and funny vehicle for Brown that overcomes its overstuffed, uninspired plotting with plenty of gut-busting gags.

At a brisk seventy minutes, You Said a Mouthful is both very simple and strangely overcomplicated. Brown stars as Joe Holt, a clerk in a swimwear company who designs a no-sink bathing suit, solely because he is deathly afraid of water. Of course, then, the big idea of the movie should be to get this fella swimming. And it is... but the script by Robert Lord and Bolton Mallory seems to run itself ragged just to cook up a semi-plausible series of events that will lead to the scaredy-cats getting in the water.

Joe E. Brown gets needed help form of an unexpected sidekick. That's Allen Hoskins, or, as he was known with the rest of "Our Gang", Farina as Sam. Here he's the accidental adopted son of hapless inventor Joe Holt (Brown). What's nice? No one seems to really notice Farina's race. He's a wacky, bossy kid who gets to push our hero to greater things. He's a sidekick, but smarter and save's his father's butt more than once, even if it involves dropping an anchor on his head. Very hilarious gag routine.

High jinks ensue when he's mistaken for a world champion swimmer, with the possibility of beautiful Alice (Rogers) being the prize. The mistaken identity leads the cowardly Joe into a number of situations where he desperately tries to fake sick or cheat, but he ends up making a treacherous marathon swim from Catalina to the shore while Alice and Sam cheer him on.

The final race sequence is particularly madcap, cobbled together from moments shot on location and in a studio tank -- Brown is even great at physical comedy under ten feet of water! You Said A Mouthful showcases Brown's energy at its peak, the actor turns the film into a laugh riot. 8/10

This is neither the best or worst thing Joe E. Brown ever did. It was made during his "salad days" over at Warner Brothers/First National where he did his best talking picture work. Brown plays Joe Holt, a shipping clerk who invents an unsinkable bathing suit and dreams of better things as he is constantly hazed and disrespected by his fellow employees. He soon learns he has inherited the estate of a relative in California. However, all he winds up with is five dollars and a young ward, played by Farina of Our Gang fame. Joe's luck soon turns, though, when he is mistaken for a championship swimmer by the same name. Deathly afraid of water, our hero would have confessed the mix-up to his hosts immediately if it were not for two things - the good eats at his hosts' comfy estate and, more importantly, the attention of an attractive young lady, Alice (Ginger Rogers), who just adores good swimmers.

The film has some good Joe E. Brown moments in it, who in many ways had the kind of early talkie career that Buster Keaton could have had if he had not been tied to a studio that so misunderstood his potential (MGM). MGM's forte was drama not comedy, and certainly not physical comedy. Ginger Rogers is in a transitional role here, as she is playing someone who is splitting the difference between her earlier flapper persona and her more hardened chorine image in the Berkeley musicals. Farina does a good job as Joe's ward and the only real friend Joe has. Preston Foster, as Joe's rival for both the championship and Alice, bears a striking resemblance to Ralph Bellamy both physically and in how Bellamy played the cad in some of his earlier screen roles.

A good film from the precode era that doesn't have a precode moment in it, which is odd considering its stars.

Joe E. Brown comedy about an inventor of an "unsinkable bathing suit" who is mistaken for a champion swimmer. Ginger Rogers plays the girl who falls for him but doesn't know the truth. Black child actor Allen 'Farina' Hoskins is great as Brown's ward he inherited from his aunt. I'm not the biggest fan of Joe E. Brown. I often find him to be a very limited comedian, relying solely upon rubberfacing and exaggerated voices -- the kind of stuff that toddlers laugh at. But every once in awhile I come across one of his movies that impresses me. This is one of those movies. Brown actually plays a character here instead of himself, which means he actually acts. My favorite parts were the little bits of business where we'd get to hear Brown's thoughts, which sound like lines from a bad novel. Fans of Brown will undoubtedly like this one but it's also one of his few movies I've seen that I would recommend to non-fans.