A Hash House Fraud

Want to buy the Busy Bee Beanery? It's for sale and Hugh Fay is anxious to sell. Let the buyer beware, however, as the joint hasn't got any food in stock. As a matter of fact, they haven't got much of anything in stock or anywhere else. What this film has in stock though are laughs and one of the great Keystone chases. The cast are good in their respective roles, although sometimes Hugh over-acts a bit. Nevertheless, this is a fun comedy to watch.

If you've seen one, you've seen them all -- but if you've seen Chaplin or Arbuckle's versions of the slovenly restaurant, you've seen it done much better. This one depends on the Keystone staples: mugging, fraud and physical violence which of, course, have their own comedic charms. Nor can one deny that it is nice to see Louise Fazenda out of her 'country girl' makeup. Here she plays the gum-chewing cashier and is quite pretty.

Naturally, the Keystone Kops get involved and there is a fine silly chase to round off the entire effort. If you're a fan of his sort of comedy -- as I am -- you will find it nicely, if not brilliantly done. But I freely admit it's a bit raw for people who think Adam Sandler is funny.

Just watched this Keystone short on the "American Slapstick 2" DVD set. Louise Fazenda is the cashier at a restaurant and her looks attract many male customers and some of her co-workers as well. There are some good gags like her gum being stuck on one patron's cane, a cook using his heated frying pan on a boss' butt. But after a while, much of the action gets repetitious especially during a climatic chase which leads to a pier. So on that note, A Hash House Fraud is worth a look and nothing more.