Stolen by Gypsies or Beer and Bicycles

My review was written in July 1985 after watching the short film on Masquers' video cassette.

Silent film star Charles Ray stars in Al Ray's "Stolen by Gypsies or Beer and Bicycles" (1933). Story is set in the "anemic" 1880s, "when beer and bicycles were the limit in speed". After one particularly corny joke, the villain (Sam Hardy) sums up the comic approach here succinctly with an aside to the camera: "Old but clean".

Other actors participating include Barbara Sheldon, William Farnum, John Sheehan and Francis McDonald.

Masquers harlequin (president) Anthony Caruso introduces the video cassette, which brings back the movies after over 50 years out of circulation, sold by mail order only on an-hour-long $31.95 VHS cassette.

The subject matter of "Stolen by Gypsies" is one that would NOT sit well with many viewers today. It's all about Gypsies* and pretty much uses all the 1930s stereotypes about how dishonest they all are.

This film is from the Masquers Club series, so when you see way over the top acting and tons of ridiculous story elements, understand that's the trademark of all their films. In this one, the Gypsies are all pretty awful and they kidnap a woman on behalf of a baddie who wants her for himself.

The biggest problem with this film isn't the acting but that the script just isn't particularly funny. I cannot remember a single laugh from the short after I saw it.

*Don't attack me for using the term 'Gypsies', as that's the one used in the movie. Today 'Romani' is a more acceptable term for these people.

Lots of real talent, including Charles Ray and the darling Barbara Sheldon, seem to have a good time in this burlesque crammed full of sight gags, old jokes -- which are referenced as "old but clean" -- and some pretty dangerous-looking stunt work.

Unless you are looking for the offbeat, the ridiculous, and a look at what the Masquers Club did, you might consider this a waste of time.

But it's fun. However silly, it's fun. I highly recommend it. There is a mediocre print at YouTube. You can see some actors not well known now, but who should be, and you can learn a bit of Hollywood history.