His Silent Racket

Charley Chase, a funny man who never got the acclaim of Chaplain, Keaton and Laurel and Hardy, stars as the object of a con set up by the wonderful James Finalyson, the owner of a dismal cleaning shop that is being eyed by the local muscle, who happens to run a racket for protection. Charley takes on the job, but when a package is dropped off, he doesn't know that he's become a target...for that package is a bomb. Chase is an utterly charming performer who plays the perfect clean cut, shy guy who happens to get himself into sticky situations. A performer worthy of rediscovery!

When the story begins, James Finlayson is operating a dry cleaning store with two huge problems: it has very few customers AND the mob is demanding 'protection money'. So, he hatches a plan to find some sucker to become his partner so he can pay off the mobsters...or not. But to do that, he arranges to have tons of people in the place in order to make it look like a sure thing when a prospective client, Charley Chase, arrives. Following this, things get nasty...real nasty!

This is a cute and funny short. I was stuck between giving it a 7 or 8....but I know I enjoyed it and think it's well written and well worth your time.

James Finlayson's cleaning business isn't doing any business, and some hoods want his money for a protection racket. Fortunately, Charley Chase is interested in buying half the business, particular after he is sent to a customer -- Anita Garvin in her underwear, as Fin's wife. After Fin -- sans mustache -- gets the money, he rushes off, leaving Charley to take a package from the mob, containing a bomb.

With a cast like that -- and Muriel Evans, of course, as the ultimate object of Charley's affections -- it's probably the best of this season of Chase's short comedies for Hal Roach. Charley pulls a few gags that would not be acceptable the following year -- not only Anita's lingerie, but a guy walking around in his shorts, and the final gag shot. Enjoy!