Hal Roach was known for his amazing comedies. Most notably Laurel and Hardy and Our Gang also known as The Little Rascals. But he also produced many other amazing comedian's including that of Charley Chase.
The Sprocket Vault released 2 Collections of Charley Chase films. Charley Chase Volume 1 and Volume 2. Now it is time for yet another volume of classic comedy fun. And in this day and age we need to laugh more now than ever.
Let's take a look at the hilarious short films that are included in this volume of Charley Chase comedy.
Our Rating System:
**** = Don’t Miss it!
*** = Worth a look.
** = An Ok way to spend an evening.
* = You haven’t missed anything.
Disc One:
The Cracked Iceman (1934) Charley as a kindergarten teacher has his work cut out for him. ***
Four Parts (1934) A woman thinks she's going crazy when she encounters four men who look the same. (All four are played by Charley.) ***
I'll Take Vanilla (1934) Ice-cream vendor Charley gets mixed up with a cute girl and her snotty nephew. ***
Another Wild Idea (1934) An experimental ray gun turns a timid Charley into a mountain of boldness. ***
It happened one day (1934) Family man Charley finds himself caught in an embezzlement scheme. ***
Something Simple (1934) Charley suffers a dizzy spell and is taken to the hospital were a fake doctor diagnoses him and set him up on a crazy mission. ***
You said a hatful! (1934) Charley encounters numerous obstacles while purchasing a railroad line. ***
Fate's Fathead (1934) Happily married Charley must think fast when a woman who has mistaken him for a masher suddenly shows up at his home. ***
The Chases of Pimple Street (1934) In order to get out of his boss's doghouse, Charley pairs his troublesome sister-in-law with an important client and inevitable complications result. ***
Disc Two:
Okay Toots! (1935) A psychic causes a stockbroker Charley and his wife to switch bodies. ***
Poker at Eight (1935) Charley wants to go out for poker night with the boys but his wife won’t let him. ***
Southern Exposure (1935) Connie Chase thinks she and her lawyer husband, Jimmie are aristocratic heirs. The travel the back-country hick homestead. While there they find out Pappy (Charley Chase) could use Jimmie to defend him in a breach of promise lawsuit. ***
The Four-Star Boarder (1935) Newly-wed Charley must masquerade as a boarder in his own home while his wife pretends to be married to an old beau. All for the benefit of his wife's aunt. ***
Nurses to You! (1935) When Charley is told by his insurance doctor that he has six months to live, and goes on to live life to the fullest. ***
Manhattan Monkey Business (1935) When Charley can't pay his bill at a restaurant, he is forced to become a waiter. ***
Public Ghost #1 (1935) Charley is hired at a haunted house. ***
Disc Three:
Life Hesitates at 40 (1935) Charley suffers from strange spells in which time seems to stop. ***
The count takes the Count (1936) An insurance agent has to track down a wayward bride. ***
Vamp till ready (1936) Charley's prim and proper wife pretends to be a party girl. ***
Neighborhood House (1936) Charley his wife and daughter attend "Bank Night" at the local theater. When his daughter us chosen to reveal the number of the winner she chooses Charley, herself and her mother's numbers in succession, pandemonium ensues.
On the Wrong Trek (1936) Charlie shares the story of his vacation to his co-workers, including his encounter with two confused, derby-hatted hitchikers. ***
Each film is around 20 minutes fast paced and so much fun to watch. Charley is at his comedic best, as always. Laughter is a true cure for the blues and these Charley Chase films keep you laughing. As soon as you finish one you'll find yourself wanting to watch another and another.
The Sprocket Vault has transferred all 21 of these short films over 3 DVDs. Thankfully the films are presented in their original full screen format. There is a push to make films and TV widescreen to fit newer TV screens, thus stretching the picture. This is not the case here.
These films look and sound pretty amazing considering their age. There is some slight specks in some spots of these films, but nothing that should take away from then viewing of this comedy classics.
I must say I really enjoyed watching this set and I will be watching it in it's entirety again very soon. The re-watchablity of this set in undeniable.
So if you love the simpler time of comedy. A time when you could sit down and laugh without worrying about off-color language or sexual content, this Charley Chase collection is a must own. Head over to Amazon.com and get your copy today.
Out of 4 Film Reels (4 Being the Best) The Sprocket Vault's DVD of Charley Chase Volume 3 receives...
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