Charley My Boy!

I watched this on Turner Classic Movies and I couldn't follow it. I don't know what that says about me, I just know that I couldn't keep track of the characters. There was the Charley who got splashed by the car, the old guy Charley and apparently the jerk at the office who insulted the boss who got confused for the young Charley. Or something. There were a couple of funny moments, but if I can't keep track of the characters it makes it impossible for me to enjoy whatever I'm watching.

The surviving prints of this Charley Chase short don't look so good. Still, that's all right. It's a piece from Charley's peak period, a fall story, good acting and lots of good comedy gags, some of which were apparently supplied by Stan Laurel, who was working behind the camera as much as in front of it at this time. Better this than a lot of bad stuff that survives in perfect prints.

The story is that Katherine Grant has been told off to marry an old man, which she doesn't care for; Charley is looking for a job. Guess who's father he goes to work for. And guess the name of the man Miss Grant is supposed to marry.

The plot is run out fully in this two-reeler, laced with the usual fine gags that Mr. Chase's unit used to punctuate them. Miss Grant -- this would be the next to last movie she would be in -- is pretty and does some nice reactions to Charley's shenanigans. Fred Kelsey plays a cop. What more do you want? Except for a good copy?

The print for "Charley My Boy!" is pretty fuzzy...due to the ravages of time. It's still very watchable and is much worse near the beginning.

This film finds Charley getting a job and falling for the boss' daughter. However, the boss has little interest in having Charley for a son-in-law...at least THAT Charley. Instead, he wants his daughter to marry a rich old Charley. But when the boss wants Charley (Chase) to stay late and work, it looks as if he wants Charley (Chase) to come to dinner! Charley is thrilled at the apparent invitation but when someone slips sleeping pills into his drink, it makes for an interesting evening!

The film has a few nice bits. The one I liked most involved a fire hydrant early in the film. But overall, it's a very pleasant and likable comedy...well worth seeing despite it being a bit fuzzy.