User reviews

Karl Valentin receives the delivery of a new writing desk. When he discovers it is much too tall, he proceeds to perform carpentry on the desk, the chair, the floor, in best comic manner.

Part of the interest in this short is that Valentin was a very popular comic, in cabaret and on film. He sustained that popularity into the 1930s, when authorities decreed that he portrayed poor people too much. His film career ended in 1936, but he remained popular on stage until his death in 1948. Before he became a performer, he had trained as a carpenter: good training for this short!

Overall, I find this one all right but not outstanding for the era, as a simple gag is stretched out with minimal ornamentation until the final disaster.

Herr Karl Valentin was one of the most remarkable comedians of the early days of cinema in Germany ( and believe this German Count, those days were not a very funny ones even for the aristocracy…) not to mention his development in an important talkie career. His film "Der Neue Schreibtisch" is probably one of the most popular and successful short films directed by this funny German director during those early Teutonic days.

This kleine movie is a perfect example of the characteristics of Herr Valentin's films and career ( focused with visual gags in his silent films as opposed to more oral in the talkie ones ). Herr Valentin plays those characters he cares about so much (low class people, clerks, retailers… that is to say, that kind of funny people that have nothing in common with the serious aristocracy… ). They often have to deal with the simple problems such as acquiring a new desk ( ordinary furniture that have nothing in common either with the distinguished aristocratic bureaus ).

His simple, short, funny and effective films are the same way (in the techniques of Herr Valentin, he focused his efforts with gags filmed almost in a long shot). His only and uncomplicated intention - to making the audience laugh, included Germans.

And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must remove his decadent bureau for a bold rococo one.

Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien http://ferdinandvongalitzien.blogspot.com/

This short comedy is certainly the quintessential Valentin film and it defies any conventional judgment of film. It is no more than the registration of a Valentin sketch and no more is needed. It shows the brilliant timing Valentin had for comedy and the recurring theme in his comedy: an ever ongoing struggle with objects that do not abide the wishes of Valentin.

I have seen this one a couple of times and it never fails to get me roaring with laughter and to split my sides. Where have these kind of comedians gone?