The Tamale Vendor

Tom Patricola tells some jokes, courts Margaret Breen, and sings a couple of songs in this comedy short directed by Roscoe Arbuckle.

The most interesting thing about it is that he sings "In A Little Spanish Town" while crockery falls on him to punctuate the line breaks. Fans of Buster Keaton will recognize this routine from a couple of his 1930s shorts, including PEST IN THE WEST.

The Vaudevillian Tom Patricola did not appear in many films, though in "The Tamale Vendor" he seems very comfortable in front of the camera. He also sings and dances...very well and it's easy to enjoy his performance.

As for the story itself, it's a mixed bag. Tom and a friend meet a Senorita and she laments that she's being forced to marry a man she doesn't love....and Tom agrees to come with her and try to help. The rich Mexican who is going to marry her is odd because he clearly is NOT Mexican nor sounds anything like one.

While this film is a comedy, it works much better as a musical. The humor was just okay...and the film isn't bad but it also isn't distinguished enough to say you should look for it on YouTube.