User reviews

From 1932-1936 MGM produced about 25 short subjects under the group title of 'Oddities". They were nonfiction pieces, but produced without any rhyme or reason.

In this one we look at some pictures supposedly taken on a trip through the dessert -- with an emphasis on reptiles, including snakes, lizards and rattlesnakes -- narrated by writer Paul Girard Smith, who speaks in snappy, pun-filled patter. The sound is a bit muffled and sometimes it's hard to tell what he is saying, but it really doesn't matter. In brief, this sort of short would evolve into the Pete Smith special in which Pete's sardonic voice would narrate with the clear implication that he didn't believe any of it, and put an end to this sort of half-baked effort.

"Chili and Chills" is a terrible short film from MGM. It consists of a couple driving through Mexico and you see footage of various things, such as a Russian community within Mexico. You also hear the husband narrate the trip and the problems with this narration are many: it's too fast, it's filled with limp jokes AND it's a bit insulting at times...such as when they call Mexicans lazy!!! Huh?! All in all, a terrible travelogue that isn't fun to watch nor is it very welcome. My advice...skip this one and find a better short....and almost any other short would be better.