Julius Sizzer

Benny Rubin -- playing a dual role of "Little Sizzer" and his brother "JULIUS SIZZER" dodges gangsters trying to take him for a ride and put him on the spot. Will both brothers survive the movie, or will dreadful puns destroy their careers before the end of the movie? This one gets points for subject matter outside the usual two reel idiom -- what other slapstick two reeler features a nice Jewish Boy from Ellis Island. Also, Rubin's Edward G. Robinson spoof is really pretty funny. The problem is that Rubin's good character is as whiny as Woody Allen without the redeeming funny jokes. And the physical stuff mostly does not work. The material does not appeal today, and I doubt it appealed to the majority of audience back then, who would have little knowledge of genuine Jewish comedy.

Fans of two reelers might want to give this a look to see something a little (but not really enough) different. Others should avoid.

Benny Rubin plays dual roles in this very unfunny film. One is a nice Jewish guy who speaks in the thickest accent I can recall--so this he could have used subtitles. If you think a guy acting ultra-ultra-Jewish is enough to carry a film, then you might like it--I just found this guy wore VERY thin. The other was 'Little Sizzer'--a play on the film "Little Caesar". The film is a Jewish version of the Edward G. Robinson movie (though in reality, Robinson was also Jewish)--with nary a joke in the entire movie. If you like lots of Yiddish, thick accents and no laughs whatsoever, then by all means watch! Otherwise, do yourself a favor and take a nap.

By the way, after seeing this Rubin film, I then saw another, "Dump Dicks". It was terrible as well, but compared to "Julius Sizzer" it was like an Oscar-winner!