Pugs and Kisses

This is another early short that stars Shemp Howard and Lionel Stander. Stander is a boxer who doesn't really train for his fights while Shemp is likewise the same as his trainer. We don't see much of the fights though there's an announcer who describes them. That part wasn't very funny to me. What was funny when Shemp disguises his voice through the door to Lionel as he pretends to be a woman the latter wants to date. There were some amusing lines and scenes but none like the one I just described. So on that note, I say give Pugs and Kisses a look.

There really isn't a lot of plot in this comedy, though it is, at times, rather funny. It could have naturally been funnier if the script had been tightened up and the slower bits removed. The title of the film is referring to boxer and not the doggies.

Much of the film follows a VERY unlikely looking contender (Lionel Stander) who doesn't exactly work hard on his workout regimen. Not surprisingly, he loses the big fight. This portion of the fight is very strange but funny. You see almost none of the fight...and it's all up to the announcer, who is awfully good. Following his loss, the manager and trainer decide that their boxer lost because of all the focus he has on women, so they decide to teach him a lesson and cure him of women once and for all.

As I already said, this one has funny moments...and quite a few flat ones as well. But the good make up for the bad and the picture worth a look.