What Happened to Jones?

The third screen version of George Broadhurst's 1897 farce serves as a lightweight vehicle for a dashing young Reginald Denny with the usual shenanigans as he tries to prevent lady love Marian Nixon from marrying chinless wonder William Austin

Otis Harlan has as more substantial role than usual, Zasu Pitts a much less substantial one than usual; and I would like to have seen more of Nina Romano, who also largely drops out of the action after making an initially rather saucy first appearance clad only in a towel in a Turkish bath.

An often hilarious silent farce, "What Happened to Jones?" stars Reginald Denny in a fine comic performance as Tom Jones, a man on the eve of marriage. The night before his wedding to Lucille Bigbee, played by Marion Nixon, Jones is persuaded by his friend, Ebenezer Goodly, to go out for an evening of poker. Unfortunately, the police raid the game, and Tom and Ebenezer escape for a hilarious night of frantic chases, improbable hide outs, and costumed impersonations. Situation piles on situation, and explanations trip over explanations.

Denny is a delight throughout this madcap comedy; his facial expressions are often priceless as Tom and Ebenezer find themselves in a ladies' slimming salon; donning towels as turbans, the pair hide in heat cabinets and the steam room, before stealing women's clothing and running into the street in drag. Chubby Otis Harlan as Ebenezer is nearly as funny as Denny, and he makes a convincing fat old lady; however, when two men try to pick up Denny and Harlan, credibility is strained a bit. The wonderful Zazu Pitts appears as Hilda, a maid whose hand is out every time she witnesses Tom's and Ebenezer's duplicity; pocketing the cash, she repeats her motto "I didn't see him come in, I didn't see him go out, I didn't see nothing." Emily Fitzroy is also a gem as Mrs. Goodly, the object of several shenanigans by Tom and Ebenezer.

A comedy veteran, director William A. Seiter maintains a frantic pace; at times, the action becomes classic slapstick with cops running in pursuit, pulled rugs and pratfalls, heads bobbing in and out of heat boxes. Better known today as a dramatic supporting actor in "Rebecca" and the Bulldog Drummond series, Denny had a gift for comedy, which was later displayed in the Batman movie and television series of the 1960's, as well as the Red Skelton Hour and other TV comedy series during the 1950's. The entertaining and delightful "What Happened to Jones?" provides an early peek at Reginald Denny's comic talent.