Well, I gotta say, if nothing else, this one is memorable. There aren’t too many shorts like PIE A LA MAID. Probably a good thing, but it’s fine that at least one like it exists.
I am noticing Charley looking older in these shorts. His face more drawn and always thin, seems to be even thinner, to an unhealthy degree. Unlike late Curly, Chase does act fine, but knowing this is a man who is about to have a fatal heart attack only being in his mid forties does put somewhat of a damper on these later Columbias.
Like I stated in past reviews, Chase getting older doesn’t lend himself to playing after the young girl (in addition to living with his mother) as it did ten years earlier but the whole premise of this short is so unbelievable I can’t complain too hard. The whole brother in drag thing, what’s funniest is the way he just goes along with it without much a fight. If you gave him an angora sweater, he’d look like Ed Wood in GLEN OR GLENDA. I usually hate these drag comedy things but here it’s better for one simple reason - unlike about every other time this happens, Chase does not fall for this for one minute and can tell it’s a man.
Really just a bizarre but entertaining short overall. Makes no sense, but it’s like people have childish motives like in an old Sennett short. Instead of ignoring the unwanted letter for a date, Ann Doran throws a pie in his face. The whole drag thing lacks logic. Chase’s mid forties puppy love lacks logic. You have to accept this short on its own terms and not the real world’s terms.
Ann Doran puts in an energetic performance and looks gorgeous. Lionel Belmore, the Al Thompson of Universal Horror, puts in some work at Columbia, a welcome presence. The again Sennet like slapstick ending is bizarre but fun. Like I said, this one is memorable and unique, though probably not for all tastes. Glad I’ve seen it, anyway.
