Sherman Said It

This Charley Chase short subject starts with a concept that is amusing on its own and bears at least a superficial resemblance to the premises of Harry Langdon's earlier comedy "Soldier Man" and Laurel and Hardy's later "Block-Heads." Like Langdon and Stan Laurel in the other two films, Chase here is a World War I soldier who never realizes that armistice has come and the war has ended. However, there is very much a Charley Chase spin on things -- he wasn't too dim-witted too notice the war was over for years, he was too busy doing his overzealous best to be a good soldier to hear the news, and then, in true Chase fashion, is the victim of a practical joke that keeps the illusion alive.

This business is funny and leads to some good gags, then the comedy turns to the frustration of trying to get home but constantly missing the boat because of one or other piece of unfinished business, and the malapropisms of an eccentric mayor trying to see Charley off with medals.

It's one of those Charley Chase shorts which are, not unintentionally, I think, more just freewheeling and fun rather than tightly plotted. That makes it great fun to watch despite the fact that sometimes it seems like gags-vamping around the theme of Charley Chase as a soldier. The fun is enhanced by not one but two musical numbers, which are always breezy joys in these films. What could have been a great running gag involving Charley's comrades going "all for one and one for all" with a silly secret sign gets just two throwaway references after it is introduced.

This one isn't perfect, but it's still cheerful, breezy, and fun.

Charley is an idiotic leader of a squadron in WWI. In a rather embarrassing scene (because it was so overdone), Charley and his men are so gung-ho that they won't stop firing long enough to hear that the war just ended. When he finally does realize it, however, he is stopped at the boat back to America--he apparently owed a huge cleaning bill and had to stay behind to work it off. Unfortunately, following this announcement, came a couple rather limp song and dance numbers that seemed like filler. While Chase sang admirably in many shorts, this time it lacked zip and I found myself wanting it to end.

In the 1920s and 30s, Charley Chase made a ton of movies--both as a star and as a director (under his real name, Charles Parrott). Like many, in this one he both stars and directs. I have really enjoyed Chase's films for years--particularly his silents. However, despite being a fan, I am not blind to the fact that because he made so many and they were made so quickly, the quality varied tremendously. This one, while not one of the truly bad ones, isn't all that good either and provides some mild entertainment, but nothing that will make you laugh out loud.

Sherman Said It (1933)

* 1/2 (out of 4)

Poor Charley Chase short has him playing a soldier during WW1 who doesn't know the war has ended. Once he finally learns he still has trouble leaving France. This is one of those comedies where it seems the filmmakers forgot they were making a comedy because there doesn't even seem to be an attempt to bring any laughs. Chase sleepwalks through his role and doesn't add anything and the supporting cast are all forgettable.

As of now the Chase Columbia titles aren't on DVD but they do play on TCM quite often.

A typically good Charley Chase short subject, this one is marred a little by a hasty ending, but getting there is a lot of fun. Armistice has just been declared, and if War is Hell, then getting out of France is even worse, as Sergeant Chase and his squadron first continue fighting a battle with a cow and then, as he is about to leave for New York with Nita Pike, he gets thrown into service to pay back his laundry bill.

Luis Alberni is funnier than usual, as he fails to overlay his Italian accent with a French one, and Chase's two interludes of working off his debt are filled out with a couple of musical numbers: "Mine, All Mine" and a nice little song and dance routine with a push broom to "Sidewalk Sam". It's always a nice bit in a Chase soundie when he sings, since he started his career as a song-and-dance man in vaudeville. Not a great Chase picture but, as usual, it has many great moments.