Clancy at the Bat

The Scottish stage actor Andy Clyde had an incredibly long and diverse career in films. During the 1920s, Clyde was featured in many Mack Sennett comedies. And in the 30s, he also starred in many comedies as well as being a wonderful sidekick in the Hopalong Cassidy films. Here he stars as the title character in this Sennett film for Eduacational Pictures.

The story begins in the locker room and the players learn that Andy has bet all their money on the game....which means they'll make out great IF they win. Otherwise, he's in big trouble. And, not surprisingly, it all boils down to the bottom of the 9th inning. Will Clyde be the hero or will his players collectively beat the stuffing out of him?

For some reason, Harry Gribbon is listed first in the credits on IMDB, though he clearly is a supporting actor and it is a Clyde film. As for Gribbon, he plays the team's picture...and an awful one at that! The comedienne, Marjorie Beebe plays Clyde's daughter.

So is it any good? Yes. While it is far from a rollicking comedy or Clyde's best, it is pleasant and worth seeing.

When Harry Gribbon bets the team's salaries, figuring they'll get double pay this month, they agree -- either they win and get paid twice, or manager Andy Clyde still owes them their salary. Then Gribbon strikes out, and Andy steps up to the plate for the first time in ten years.

It's an enjoyable comedy from Mack Sennett, who was making the transition from silent to sound pictures in some style. Although he could no longer manage the big effects that had typified his 1920s comedies, he still had some fun, particularly in the way Clyde mangles his suspenders.