Traffic Tangle

Nat Carr has bought a new car and takes his family on what he imagines will be a pleasure ride.

It's directed from Fred Guiol, early in the diaspora from Hal Roach's studio, and he borrows a lot from the comedies produced there in the silent era: not only the auto-based comedies (which, admittedly, were common to all comedy studios, but particularly well done at Roach), but the Jewish Family comedies; Max Davidson had starred in well-remembered series in which Spec O'Donnell had appeared.

Nat is fairly good in the role, but this runs a little slow for my taste. Guiol seemed to have trouble dealing with the constant cranking speed of sound picture. Don't worry about his career, though! He became a leading member of George Stevens' production team.

The reason I say this short comedy is surprisingly enjoyable is that it comes on a DVD of mostly very unfunny shorts from Pathé...yet, somehow, "Traffic Tangle" isn't bad at all....and is worth seeing.

Nat Carr stars in this comedy and he plays a very stereotypically ethnic character. When the story begins, he's trying to cross the street--leading to a very cute bit involving a Boston Terrier. In the next scene, the proud man has returned home to show off his new car and to take the family for a drive. Not surprisingly, he gets into trouble again and again with the police while driving.

There are no huge gags here but instead there's a nearly constant stream of enjoyable bits....bits that are clever and cute. Not a great short by any stretch, but it is enjoyable and well made.