Film & Shorts Discussions > Random Comedy Reviews

A Blitz on the Fritz (1943) - Harry Langdon

(1/2) > >>

Paul Pain:




https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035682/

I feel that I owe y'all an explanation.  It must be pointed out that the reason there are no current efforts to restore the Langdon Columbia shorts is because (1) some shorts are lost and (2) others are hostage in private film collections.  It's the sad state of things at the moment.

This is Harry Langdon's WWII propaganda short, and it's actually quite possibly the worst one I have seen from Columbia in this genre.  The short just seems too forced in many places, and for much of it I didn't laugh.  Actually, I hardly laughed at all after Harry stumbles onto the spy hideout.

It's a Columbia short with solid casting, but the short itself is lacking.  Now, what is funny is the trademark Harry Langdon creativity.  Namely, the crazy method by which Harry gets all the men to chase him into the spy chambers so the ring can be busted.  But, I didn't laugh during the fight (old gags done flatly or poorly) or during the bandaging scene (just abuse, but unfunny abuse). The ending, stolen from WHAT'S THE MATADOR? was poor as well.

I am so bored by this one that it gets a lowly...

4/10 [poke] [poke] [poke] [poke]

HomokHarcos:
I feel the parts that don't involve the spy bits are better. Such as the beginning when it's Harry and his wife, or when her and the other women are practicing nursing on him. The tire bit and spear bit at the beginning is enjoyable, though it's more Jules White comedy than Harry Langdon.

Umbrella Sam:
I’m going to have to disagree. I actually quite enjoyed this...for the most part. The bandaging scene was painfully unfunny and long, but outside of that, I actually found I was laughing a lot at this short. I enjoyed Harry’s methods of getting the men to follow him, especially when he was irritating the guy on parole. I enjoyed the actual fight as well; it is standard Columbia fare, sure, but I thought it was done well. I also really liked when Harry was having issues with the spear and tire, especially when he debated kicking the painter only to talk himself out of it. It definitely is more of a Jules White short than it is a Harry Langdon short, but I do think White’s style can work, and this is one where I do actually quite like the results.

8 out of 10

Umbrella Sam:
A bit off topic, but I still thought this was worth sharing. I was looking up Harry’s last film, PISTOL PACKIN NITWITS, and found this color photo of him on the set of that film on Pinterest.



I can’t say for certain, but my guess is that this comes from one of El Brendel’s home movies. Even though I know he did a color sequence in LONG PANTS, as far as I’m aware, this might be the only surviving color photo of him.

metaldams:

--- Quote from: Umbrella Sam on February 04, 2021, 09:16:09 AM ---A bit off topic, but I still thought this was worth sharing. I was looking up Harry’s last film, PISTOL PACKIN NITWITS, and found this color photo of him on the set of that film on Pinterest.



I can’t say for certain, but my guess is that this comes from one of El Brendel’s home movies. Even though I know he did a color sequence in LONG PANTS, as far as I’m aware, this might be the only surviving color photo of him.

--- End quote ---

I’m not aware of a color sequence in LONG PANTS, at least on my print of it.

As far as that picture, sounds like it was taken really close to his death.  I’m sure that will be discussed once we get to that short.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page