Yes, this is a remake of parts of THE PASSIONATE PLUMBER, and the best parts at that. The plumbing gags and the duel stuff are all in the MGM feature, but I have to say Keaton seems even more out of place here than he does at MGM, so it's not surprising this is his last Columbia.
I'm not sure if the intent was to have Keaton underact while everybody else around him was hysterical, or if Keaton just refused to act like those around him, but the results are Keaton looking like a square trying to fit into a world of circles. Keaton, as we all know, is not a high strung Stooge type actor, and his underplayed style is much funnier than the Collins and Ames types around him, high strung types not as funny as The Stooges. At least Ames can take pratfalls, she's not just put to good use here. But just about the entire cast, minus Keaton, is too over the top. Controversially, I feel the same way about those surrounding the Stooges in CACTUS MAKES PERFECT...another Collins effort.
Still, Keaton does some fantastic physical stuff in the pipe scene. The way he keeps his body relatively straight when being twisted to get his finger out of the pipe and the way he takes that spinning tumble while using the hammer is incredibly impressive. Also, the very last shot after he kisses Elsie Ames and is able to underplay while at the same time still convey he's da man is worth a huge laugh in my book. Buster himself carries himself well here. Even with lower budgets than he'd prefer and an environment where his individual brand of comedy is not really nurtured, it's obvious the man still had talent and he's a pleasure to watch.
Speaking of a pleasure to watch, thanks for clearing up who the French Maid is, Green Canaries.
