Pest Control

PEST CONTROL is a humorous look at human pests with four little stories involving star DAVE O'BRIEN, whom I'm beginning to think was one of the most talented comedic actors of the '40s and '50s with physical prowess beyond the normal. He knew how to take pratfalls without killing himself, all with perfect timing.

He's a wolf cruising women in his convertible in the opening segment and getting payback from a woman who at first pretends to succumb to his stalking maneuvers; he's the nervous manager of an antique shop trying to show a woman customer his wares while her son handles the store merchandise and creates havoc; he's the man who can't get his fountain pen to work without spraying ink all over himself; and he's the restaurant customer who can't eat when a woman maintains a fixed stare at him.

Not the best of the Pete Smith shorts, but passes the nine minutes enjoyably.