https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035684/The day Harry Langdon met Mrs. Ziffel was an odd one. In BLONDE AND GROOM, again Harry Langdon is the script writer. And do we get a weird short that nicely blends both Harry's and Columbia's styles, siding toward the latter. Unfortunately, there are some pieces clearly missing from the reel, as this one is jumpy and clocks in at just under 15 minutes.
Yes, Rex's (Eddy Chandler) fiancée is played by Barbara Pepper, best known as Mrs. Ziffel on Green Acres. Stanley Blystone and Gwen Kenyon fill out the solid cast that overall suffers much abuse.
Now, the opening scenes with Harry hauling sand and working on the roof are classic Columbia style. He does well with this material and really gives it his own touch. Throughout the short, he takes a ton of abuse and takes it well. By the end, you feel bad for Harry and all his pain, especially when he steps on the pincushion. The jokes about Harry's pictures are a cute way to introduce he and his wife's characters.
Rex is an ass, plain and simple. Unlikable and an absolute cad. Stanley Blystone does well as the one-eyed jilted ex-boyfriend bent on murderous revenge. Gwen is solid as Harry's irritable and shrieky wife who also takes a little abuse.
Barbara Pepper: she delivers a fine performance as a rotten lady. She's abusive and domineering, pushes Harry around perfectly, and controls the situation. She takes her role like a champion and makes the proper reaction for every bullet, stab, and smack. The way she acts quickly to save herself and Harry is a perfect turn for things.
But that ending just chilled me. That was a little too gruesome, but it doesn't detract from a solid short.
9/10