Prego sorrida!

There are probably very few people today who realize what a big star movie star Red Skelton was in his day. In the late '40s and early '50s he churned out a string of very popular comedies. He was probably as big as Bob Hope, who is much better remembered today, probably because of later TV appearences, including all those USO specials. (I've always thought that Skelton's and Hope's movie personas were very similar. At least the young Hope. They were hapless but well-meaning boobs who always somehow managed to get the pretty girl).

No point going into the plot, because the plots in Skelton's movies don't matter much. They're just something on which to hang the gags and comic routines. There's some very inventive physical comedy in this movie, culminating in the extended, wacky final car chase. There's the added attraction of two lovely actresses, Arlene Dahl and Ann Miller, as fetching eye candy. Arlene falling for Red may seem somehow inexplicable, but like I said, Red always gets the girl. Ann Miller is young, perky, and funny. (though no tap dancing).

I don't think that Red Skelton ever cared about being perceived a comic genius. (Even Hope showed more ambition and ego). He just wanted to make people laugh, and generally succeeded. This isn't one of his best efforts, but it still made me smile.

According to IMDb, "Watch the Birdie" is a remake of the old Buster Keaton film "The Cameraman". While the newer film did borrow a few bits, the plot is so different that I wouldn't consider it a remake at all. This is great, because I hate remakes and both films are a lot of fun.

Red Skelton plays Rusty Cammeron--a nice schnook who works at his family's camera store. Like "The Cameraman", Rusty decides to make money by taking newsreel shots and selling them for bit bucks--exactly like in the Keaton film. However, this portion of the film doesn't last long at all and in the process he ends up meeting Lucia Corlane (Arlene Dahl) and he is instantly smitten. However, she's rich and successful and he's just a bit of an idiot--a very nice and likable idiot, nevertheless.

While working for Lucia, he's filming the groundbreaking on her company's big housing project. However, unintentionally, he films her trusted adviser making an underhanded deal to destroy the company! When Rusty and Lucia discover this, they rush to the police with the film--with the baddies in hot pursuit.

As I watched this film, I was surprised by my wife's reaction. She just thought Red was cute and very, very likable. In fact, she liked him so much, she was willing to forgive the few missteps the film took (such as having Lucia TELL the baddies that she's on her way to the police....who is THAT dumb?!?!). I would agree but do think the high-speed (or not so high-speed) chase did go on a bit long and because of this, I give the film a still respectable 7. Pleasant and worth seeing.

By the way, when everyone is viewing the film Rusty took from the roof of his truck, the camera angle is all wrong--like it was filmed about 5 feet lower. I am surprised they didn't notice this discrepancy. Also, make sure you watch all the movie--even the opening credits. It's rather funny listening to Skelton walking about the cast and crew as the credits roll.

WATCH THE BIRDIE is certainly one of Red Skelton's lesser efforts. Storyline has good potential, but something went wrong. Looks like scenes were maybe filmed but cut as the movie jumps around with not much logic. Due to the short run time I'm sure much was left on the cutting room floor. No explanation as to how the Arlene Dahl character knows Red's name and where he works. A lot of other missing information. The worse part is the clips of two old MGM films. Just stops the movie dead. However, if it weren't for that scene the movie would have been barely an hour long. Only for Skelton fans, or not even. Arlene Dahl is a real beauty and Ann Miller is her usual perky self. Not much else is worthwhile.

Red Skelton plays multiple members of the Cammeron family which owns a camera shop. Rusty Cammeron is drowning in debt and then he's saved from real drowning by wealthy land developer Lucia Corlaine.

There is a Stooge-like changing room gag. This needs something more to push this fully into a laugh out loud comedy territory. Red Skelton is throwing a lot of his silly physical humor into this. The side-by-side Red Skelton double can be visually static. He's not great in any of the roles. He's not a good romantic lead. Lucia also needs to be more dynamic and more time to develop some romantic chemistry. This is mostly for Red Skelton fans and has a few fun physical gags.

You watch this for the gags, the art of physical comedy, not the plot. If you wonder what vaudeville was like, here is Skelton in his mastery. Here is also an un-suburbed California (though there is a scene of one). Marvel at the "ballet" with the elevated lumber vehicle rolling thru and turning on county roads. Don't see one of them anymore ... ever.

Forget if this is Skelton's best movie or not. He's created plenty of eye candy in stunts to feast on. Watch this with your kids or grandkids and point out how well done the stunts are. They are sure to think it's fun.

They don't make them like this any more, nor comics.