He screams, he rants, he pulls at his hair, he throws a radio through a wall and dives after it. For Al St. John this is underacting. He was one of the best fall takers in the industry, ranking with Buster Keaton and Lupino Lane, but his idea of acting was to behave like an agile toddler throwing a tantrum. After looking at a sizable portion of his more than two hundred movies over the forty years he spent in the industry, from BANGVILLE POLICE in 1913 to THE BLACK LASH in 1952 -- comic sidekick to Lash LaRue (Yes, there was an actor who went by that name) -- I must say that it's also pretty funny for once, because what is he screaming, ranting etc. about? His wife has been playing contract bridge for three months and the dirty dishes are piling up.
This is a very well-made comedy short, directed by Al's uncle, Roscoe Arbuckle under his pseudonym of William Goodrich. The gags are well done and the editing is also carefully handled. Although I strongly dislike Mr. St. John's performances, this is one funny short.
