Kelly the Second

Just watched this Hal Roach feature on the TCM site on the recommendation of Mark Evanier. In this one, Guinn "Big Boy" Williams plays a truck driver who inadvertently takes Patsy Kelly's car when it gets stuck on his bumper. That makes Ms. Kelly late for her job at Charlie Chase's drug store. I'll stop there and just say that a fight erupts during the beginning sequence which results in Williams in a new boxing career with Kelly and Chase putting all their hopes on him. Also appearing is Edward Brophy as Chase's eventual partner in the venture and Pert Kelton as his girlfriend who tries to drive a wedge between Kelly and Williams. There's also a cute cameo by "Our Gang" member Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer. Director Gus Meins, another "Our Gang" veteran, brings some energy to the proceedings though the movie is uneven at best. Still, there's a few funny visual gags like the "pop" noises whenever someone thinks shots are being fired or the reactions of Williams when he hears "The Irish Washerwoman" being played. I also liked a scene when he tries to eat something while he still has his gloves on! So on that note, Kelly the Second is worth a look. P.S. I recognized one of the boxing patrons as Max Davidson who had previously starred in his own silent series of Hal Roach comedies from the '20s.