Category: Humor

“The Sting of Stings” (1927) starring Charley Chase / Z-View

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The Sting of Stings (1927)

Director: James Parrott

Screenplay:  H.M. Walker

Stars:  Charley Chase, Enda Marion, Bull Montana.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Charley and Edna decide to share their good fortune by taking a group of young underprivileged boys to the carnival.  The youngsters chosen all come from the local juvenile hall.

After several mishaps, Charley and crew arrive at the carnival.  There the fair’s monkey-man sees his son with Charley, a stranger.  Thinking his son has been kidnapped, the carnival worker becomes one angry monkey.

What else could go wrong?  A lot.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The carnival gags are fun… especially when Charley’s new car gets a spin on the Ferris Wheel.

The Sting of Stings (1927) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Devil’s Cabaret” (1930) starring Eddie Buzzell / Z-View

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The Devil’s Cabaret (1930)

Director:  Nick Grinde

Screenplay: Edward Buzzell

Stars: Edward Buzzell, Charles Middleton.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot (beware of spoilers)…

Mr. Satan is upset.  His company, Satan & Company, located in Hades is losing too many human souls to heaven.  Satan then tasks his assistant, Howie Burns (get it? How he burns. <wink, wink>), to find a way to get more souls coming to Hades.  Burns promises his best to do his worst.

Burns creates a nightclub called The Devil’s Cabaret.  Burns then stands outside promising all who pass by, “a night of wild entertainment and hot jazz.”  Crowds flock to the show… now will they follow him afterwards?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Devil’s Cabaret is a Technicolor pre-code short.  It’s humorous, clever, entertaining and not a bad way at all to spend 16 minutes.

Edward Buzzell, who plays Howie Burns, also wrote the screenplay.

The Devil’s Cabaret (1930) rates 4 of 5 stars

“Satan Met a Lady” (1936) starring Bette Davis, William Warren and Marie Wilson / Z-View

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Satan Met a Lady (1936)

Director: William Dieterle

Screenplay:  Brown Holmes; based on THE MALTESE FALCON by Dashiell Hammett.

Stars:  Bette Davis, Warren William, Alison Skipworth, Arthur Treacher, Porter Hall, Olin Howland and Marie Wilson.

Tagline: She recalled how three men met their death…searching for a treasure that had left a trail of blood through twelve centuries!

The Plot…

Detective Ted Shane has just returned to town. Milton Ames, Shane’s former partner reluctantly agrees to work with Shane again.  They parted ways since Shane, a lady’s man, once was romantically involved with Ames’ wife.  Shane has a paying client and money overrides hurt feelings.

A woman named Valerie Purvis wants to hire Shane and Ames to find a man named Farrow.  When both Ames and Farrow are found murdered, Shane realizes there is much more to this case than a missing man.

Shane is soon approached by Madam Barrabas and Kenneth, her slow-witted, trigger happy son.  They want  to hire Shane to find an 8th century jewel-filled ivory horn.  An English gentleman, Anthony Travers, wants to hire Shane to find it as well.  And don’t you know, that’s what Valerie is after too.

Shane, never one to turn down money, decides to play each against the other and accepts payment from all.  Shane’s charm and quick wit have always served him well, but this time he may be in over his head.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Satan Met a Lady is based on Dashiell Hammett’s novel THE MALTESE FALCON.  Screenwriter, Brown Holmes not only changed the title, he changed the names of the characters (including the lead), the sex of the main antagonist and the object everyone wanted.

Bette Davis hated the script and complained to studio head Jack Warner.  She said she would not do the film.  Warner promised Davis better scripts in the future and then suspended her without pay.  Reluctantly Davis agreed to the movie.  Unfortunately she hated the end result and often said it was her worst film.

I recently revisited Satan Met a Lady.  I enjoyed it much more than previous viewings.  I always liked the movie, but this time out liked it even more.  I think in the past I compared this adaption of THE MALTESE FALCON to Huston and Bogart’s take.  Obviously Satan Met a Lady suffered by comparison.  I was also influenced by Bette Davis’ feelings about the film.  This time out, I put past feelings aside and enjoyed a lighthearted 1930s comedy/mystery.

Much of my enjoyment of Satan Met a Lady came from Marie Wilson’s performance as the ditzy, sexy blonde assistant.

Satan Met a Lady (1936) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Young Mr. Jazz” (1919) starring Harold Lloyd and Snub Pollard / Z-View

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Young Mr. Jazz (1919)

Director: Hal Roach

Screenplay: Hal Roach, Sam Taylor, H. M. Walker

Stars: Harold Lloyd, Bebe Daniels, ‘Snub’ Pollard.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Harold is in love.  Unfortunately the girl’s father is way overprotective.  Harold and  his girl make a plan to sneak off for a date.  When Harold picks her up, her father sees and gives chase.  Harold and his girl end up in a dive bar full of thieves and thugs.

Soon enough Harold’s pocket is picked.  When the bill comes due, the hard case bartender will collect one way or another.  Then the girl’s dad enters and in no time at all, his cash is stolen.  Now without a way to pay what is owed, Harold will be in a fight for his life against the bartender and his crook friends.

Last call!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

Young Mr. Jazz is a short (10 minute) short.  Still, Harold Lloyd has ample time to demonstrate his athletic/acrobatic abilities.

Young Mr. Jazz (1919) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Forgotten Sweeties” (1927) starring Charley Chase / Z-View

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Forgotten Sweeties (1927)

Director: James Parrott

Screenplay:  H.M. Walker

Stars:  Charley Chase, Anita Garvin, Shirley Palmer.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Charley and his new wife, Lillian, are surprised to learn that Charley’s ex-girlfriend, Shirley has moved into the apartment across from them.  Worse still, Shirley’s new husband Ira is the jealous type.  When Ira learns about Charley, things take a turn for the worst.

Let the antics begin!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Charley Chase was an writer, director and actor.  Although he died at a relatively young age (46), his resume includes 282 acting roles, 174 films as a director and 37 as writer.

Forgotten Sweeties was directed by Charley Chase’s brother.

Forgotten Sweeties (1927) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Many Scrappy Returns” (1927) starring Charley Chase / Z-View

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Many Scrappy Returns (1927)

Director: James Parrott

Screenplay:  H.M. Walker

Stars:  Charley Chase, Eugenia Gilbert, Anita Garvin and Bull Montana.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Charley and his wife have Charlie’s brother, Wellington and Wellington’s wife over for dinner.  Things go sideways when Wellington tries to put a move on Charley’s maid.  Worse still she thinks that it was Charley getting fresh.  When the maid’s husband gets wind of the advance, all bets are off!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Charley Chase was an writer, director and actor.  Although he died at a relatively young age (46), his resume includes 282 acting roles, 174 films as a director and 37 as writer.

Many Scrappy Returns was directed by Charley Chase’s brother.

Many Scrappy Returns (1927) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“The Rink” (1916) written, directed and starring Charlie Chaplin / Z-View

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The Rink (1916)

Director: Charlie Chaplin, Edward Brewer (technical director)

Screenplay:  Charlie Chaplin, Vincent Bryan, Maverick Terrell

Stars:  Charlie Chaplin, Edna Purviance, Eric Campbell, Henry Bergman, Albert Austin.

Tagline: Can you imagine the excruciatingly comedy capers of Charley on a pair of roller skates?

The Plot…

Charlie is a terribly clumsy waiter.  On his lunch hour Charlie likes to go to the skating rink where he is graceful beyond belief.  Still, Charlie being Charlie…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Charlie Chaplin was a man of many talents.  He wrote screenplays, acted, directed, produced, composed music and wrote songs.  Who knew he could also skate so well?

In addition to his physical comedy, Chaplin made me smile when as a waiter he figured a fat man’s dinner bill by the stains on his clothes.

The Rink (1916) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Are Brunettes Safe?” (1927) starring Charley Chase / Z-View

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Are Brunettes Safe? (1927)

Director: James Parrott

Screenplay:  H.M. Walker

Stars:  Charley Chase, Lorraine Eason Will Walling.

Tagline: You can only choose one.

The Plot…

Charley plays a newspaper advice columnist.  Charley gets a letter from a man saying he hasn’t seen his mother in years and he will not be able to return home.  The man encloses a photo of himself.  Charley is surprised to see that the man looks exactly like him.

That’s when Charley gets an idea.  Charley will travel to the man’s small town.  He’ll visit the man’s mother and see if he can impersonate the man.  It’ll make a great human interest story.

What Charley doesn’t know, but is about to find out: the man is infamous in the town!  He is wanted for robbing the town’s bank.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Are Brunettes Safe? is a 20 minute silent film from Hal Roach, the producer famous for Laurel & Hardy, Harold Lloyd and Our Gang shorts.

Are Brunettes Safe? (1927) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Eternity” (2025) starring Mile Teller, Elizabeth Olsen and Callum Turner / Z-View

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Eternity (2025)

Director: David Freyne

Screenplay:  Pat Cunnane, David Freyne

Stars: Miles Teller, Elizabeth Olsen, Callum Turner, John Early, Olga Merediz, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Barry Primus and Betty Buckley.

Tagline: You can only choose one.

The Plot…

Larry and Joan have been married for 65 years.  Although they’ve been together for a lifetime, it is Joan’s second marriage.  When she was very young, Joan was briefly married.  Her husband, Luke, was killed in the Korean War.

Although Joan has terminal cancer, it is Larry who dies first when he chokes on a pretzel.

When Larry awakens as a young man, he discovers he’s in the afterlife.  Anna, Larry’s Afterlife Coordinator explains that he must decide in which themed afterlife he wants to spend his eternity.  Once selected, a person cannot change their theme.  Eternity theme salespeople are constantly touting their products.

Larry decides to wait for Joan to make his eternity selection.  That way they can always be together.  Soon enough Joan arrives.  Larry is surprised to find that Joan’s first husband, Luke has also waited for her.  He also wants to spend eternity with her.

Joan is faced with an impossible choice.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Eternity is better than I anticipated.  The Afterlife Coordinators are a hoot.  I also got a kick out of the different themes available for eternity.

Eternity (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“The Incredible Mr. Limpet” (1964) starring Don Knotts / Z-View

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The Incredible Mr. Limpet (1964)

Director: Arthur Lubin

Screenplay:  Joe DiMona, Jameson Brewer, John C. Rose; based on MR. LIMPET by Theodore Pratt

Stars: Don Knotts, Carole Cook, Jack Weston, Andrew Duggan and Paul Frees (voice).

Tagline: The man who turned into a fish… and became America’s deadliest secret weapon!

The Plot…

War War II rages.  Henry Limpett, a mild-mannered bookkeeper, would love nothing more than to enlist and help the war effort.  Each time Henry’s tried he’s been rejected due to his many health issues.

Henry, his wife and his best friend George go to Coney Island for the day.  As Henry is looking down into the ocean, he falls.  Henry can’t swim so George dives in to save him.  Despite several attempts, George is unable to find Henry.  Everyone believes Henry has drowned.

But he hasn’t.  Somehow Henry Limpet has turned into a fish!  Even more amazing as a fish, Henry has a power that may help turn the tide of the war!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The film moves from live action to animation once Limpet turns into a fish.

It’s funny how much the fish looks like Don Knotts — or is it how much he looks like a fish?

I saw the film when it was first released. I was five and the theater was full of kids.  We loved it.  I recently re-watched it again with my grandson who is six.  He enjoyed it as well.  Your mileage may vary depending on your age and the audience you’re watching with.

The Incredible Mr. Limpet (1964) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Nobody 2” (2025) starring Bob Odenkirk / Z-View

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Nobody 2 (2025)

Director: Timo Tjahjanto

Screenplay: Derek Kolstad, Aaron Rabin; story by Derek Kolstad

Stars: Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen, John Ortiz, Colin Hanks, RZA, Christopher Lloyd and Sharon Stone.

Tagline: Nobody ruins his vacation.

The Plot…

Hutch Mansell has been on the job nonstop as an assassin to pay off a debt created during the first movie.  Hutch’s family life has suffered due to him always working.  In an effort to have some quality family time Hutch decides to take his family on vacation to a resort/amusement park that his father took him to when he was young.

At the amusement park Hutch’s son gets into it with a local bully.  The bully’s dad (who owns the amusement park) causes things to escalate when he slaps Hutch’s young daughter in the back of the head.  Hutch then returns the favor by beating up the bully’ dad and several park employees.

As it turns out, the bully’s dad is friends with the local Sheriff.  The two are involved in several criminal enterprises with a psycho-crime lord named Lendina.  Soon Hutch finds himself the target of revenge by the Sheriff as well as Lendina and her organization.

So much for vacation time.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Sharon Stone is excellent as the over-the-top villain who wouldn’t be out of place in a James Bond movie.

Nobody 2 features Timo Tjahjanto’s American directorial debut.  Tjahjanto is best known for his ultra-violent Indonesian action films.

Bob Odenkirk and Christopher Lloyd share the same birthday of the 22nd of October. What are the odds?  That’s also my birthday.

Nobody 2 is fun.  It leans into over-the-top comedy a bit more than I’d prefer at times, but is still a fun ride.

Nobody 2 (2025) rates 3 of 5 stars

“We’re No Angels” (1955) directed by Michael Curtiz, starring Humphrey Bogart, Aldo Ray and Peter Ustinov / Z-View

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We’re No Angels (1955)

Director:  Michael Curtiz

Screenplay: Ranald MacDougall; based on La Cuisine Des Anges by Albert Husson

Stars:  Humphrey Bogart, Aldo Ray, Peter Ustinov, Joan Bennett, Basil Rathbone, Gloria Talbott and Leo G. Carroll.

Tagline:  A strangler… A swindler… A safecracker… Yet you’ll love them!

The Plot…

Joseph, a thief, along with Albert and Jules who are murderers escape from the Devil’s Island French Prison.  They make it to a small town where they plan to steal enough funds to make it aboard a ship for their final escape.

The convicts decide to go into a store, steal clothes and money and make their getaway.  Once in the store they discover that the store is failing.  The nice family running the store is on the verge of losing everything.  Against their better judgment the three convicts decide to stay at the store until nightfall.  While there the boys decide to fix the leaking roof… help with sales… cook the family a nice dinner and more.

The longer Joseph, Albert and Jules stay the less likely they are to getaway.  The clock is ticking.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

We’re No Angels is based on the French play La cuisine des anges (The Angels’ Kitchen) by Albert Husson.  Interestingly enough, there was a Broadway play, My Three Angels by Sam and Bella Spewack which was was also based on the French play.  The Spewacks sued Paramount because parts of their play were incorporated into the movie without proper permission or payment.

We’re No Angels (1955) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Brother Orchid” (1940) starring Edward G. Robinson, Ann Southern and Humphrey Bogart / Z-View

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Brother Orchid (1940)

Director: Lloyd Bacon

Screenplay: Earl Baldwin; Jerry Wald (uncredited); Richard Macaulay (uncredited); based on Brother Orchid by Richard Connell

Stars: Edward G. Robinson, Ann Sothern, Humphrey Bogart, Donald Crisp, Ralph Bellamy, Cecil Kellaway, John Ridgely and Tom Tyler.

Tagline: Not Since “A Slight Case of Murder” has there been such a hysterical homicide, such mad mirth!

The Plot…

Little John Sarto rose from the streets to become head of a crime syndicate.  He’s rich.  People fear him, but he doesn’t want that.  Sarto craves to be respected.  To have… class.

So Sarto suddenly decides to give up his life of crime and become a gentleman of leisure.  Sarto turns his syndicate over to his second in command, John Buck.  He tells his girlfriend, Flo that he’s going to Europe and he’ll see her when he returns.

Things don’t go as planned in Europe.  Every move Sarto makes is a bad one.  He loses money on every deal.  Five years pass and Sarto is broke.  So he heads back to the states where he plans to regain control of his syndicate, and hook back up with Flo.

But it’s been five years.

Flo still loves Sarto, but thought he’d left for good.  So she has a new man.  John Buck and the crew felt abandoned when Sarto left.  Buck isn’t going to give up control of the gang.  So he puts out a hit on Sarto.

Sarto is caught off-guard and barely escapes with his life.  He finds himself injured and outside of a monastery.  The monks don’t recognize the infamous crime boss and take him in.  Sarto plans to stay there until he heals…

… then he will get his revenge.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Brother Orchid is one of five films that Robinson and Bogart made together.  It is the only one where neither of them is killed.

Brother Orchid (1940) rates 4 of 5 stars.