"The Fabulous Joe" bears a lot of similarity to the long string of domestic comedies Edgar Kennedy made in the 1930s-40s. In these shorts, Kennedy was stuck with a wife who seemed to care little for him, freeloading in-laws as well as the family having an easy time spending the guy's money. Well, in "The Fabulous Joe", Walter Abel plays Milo, a guy in similar circumstances. He's a well-to-do owner of an investment firm but his wife and daughter spend money like it grows on trees, there's a lazy and obnxious brother-in-law that lives with them, and the wife seems more interested in her kooky charities than Milo. In fact, on their 20th anniversary, Milo buys his wife an expensive present and the wife isn't there to receive it, as she skips out to do more of her silly charity work. But then....well, the film is totally unlike the Kennedy films because somewhere along the line, Milo inherits a talking dog!!! Yes, I wrote A TALKING DOG!
"The Fabulous Joe" is a silly B-movie which never takes itself seriously. After all, you can't expect much from a talking dog flick! In other words, you aren't expecting Shakespeare and it simply is what it is....a goofy comedy featuring a few nice performances, particularly Abel who is known more as a supporting actor. In fact, MANY familiar faces are in this one, such as Ellen Corby, Donald Meek, Marie Wilson, Sheldon Leonard, Clarence Kolb and Donald McBride (among others). To truly enjoy the film, I suggest you turn off your brain and just watch the silliness....and admire how cute Milo's dog is! Otherwise, if you think about it, the talking dog gimmick is pretty dopey!
