Film & Shorts Discussions > Random Comedy Reviews
The Stage Hand (1933) - Harry Langdon
Umbrella Sam:
--- Quote from: metaldams on February 04, 2023, 07:47:23 AM ---….just a random thought. I’m thinking about the age difference between these comedians and their on screen girls and then thinking about the difference with W.C. Fields. Fields had the Kathleen Howards of the world breathing down his neck and it adds a layer of realism in the humor that perhaps Langdon, Lloyd, Keaton and Chase could have incorporated a little more as they got older.
--- End quote ---
Even though she was about a decade younger than him, I feel like this could apply to Betty Blythe and Langdon in MISBEHAVING HUSBANDS; at least to me, they seem very convincing as an older couple in that film. What’s ironic, though, is that just two years later, Blythe ended up playing the mother to Langdon’s (kind of) love interest in HOUSE OF ERRORS!
Dr. Mabuse:
The great Langdon makes this strangely edited short (filmed in Grantwood, New Jersey — where Harry planned to direct and star in a series of two-reel comedies for Royal Studios) well worth seeing. Choppy but enjoyable.
I came across this clipping in a February 1932 issue of "The Film Daily."
Dr. Mabuse:
More information about "The Show Goat/The Stage Hand" from Chuck Harter and Michael J. Hayde's "Little Elf: A Celebration of Harry Langdon" (2012). According to the trade publications, Royal Studios folded after two years — taken over by independent producer-director Bud Pollard in September 1933.
metaldams:
--- Quote from: Dr. Mabuse on February 05, 2023, 12:37:21 AM ---The great Langdon makes this strangely edited short (filmed in Grantwood, New Jersey — where Harry planned to direct and star in a series of two-reel comedies for Royal Studios) well worth seeing. Choppy but enjoyable.
I came across this clipping in a February 1932 issue of "The Film Daily."
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Interesting. “Show Goat” sounds like a parody of the musical “Show Boat.” The film version was made in 1936, directed by James Whale and it’s my understanding that it’s failure caused the Laemmle’s to sell Universal.
Dr. Mabuse:
--- Quote from: metaldams on February 05, 2023, 04:52:45 PM ---“Show Goat” sounds like a parody of the musical “Show Boat.” The film version was made in 1936, directed by James Whale and it’s my understanding that its failure caused the Laemmles to sell Universal.
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The 1936 version of "Show Boat" was a tremendous gamble for the cash-strapped Laemmles. They were forced to seek a $750,000 loan from Standard Capital Corporation in November 1935 — using their controlling interest in Universal as collateral. The lavish production went $300,000 over budget, costing $1.2 million. Standard Capital called in the loan (which the Laemmles could not pay) and seized control of the studio in March 1936.
Released two months after the Standard Capital takeover, "Show Boat" was one of 1936's biggest hits, but the Laemmles would not benefit from its success. Carl Junior's extravagant spending finally caught up with the family . . . and they never made another film.
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