Good Time Charley

"Good Time Charley" was an attempt by Warner Bros. to capitalize on the success of "Old San Francisco" which starred Warner Oland in a villainous role. Here, he is a vaudevillian, a song-and-dance man as the picture begins, about the year 1900. He is happily married with a small daughter, and they barnstorm about the midwest with the rest of their troupe, managed by Montague Love who is the villain of the piece. Things go sour for Charley but he has his loyal best friend, played by Clyde Cook, and his daughter, whom he dotes on. Charley is a spender, and things continue on a downhill slide as his daughter grows up and begins to upstage him, eventually eclipsing him and his career.

Charley Keene is a character to root for, but Oland is unable to pull it off and earn audience sympathy. He lacks acting depth and range and the good looks of a matinée idol. His smile-through-it-all demeanor seems painted on, his face lacking expression to match the circumstance. And anyone can see he is not a dancer (can't tell about his singing, this being a silent). Luckily, prosperity - and the Charlie Chan role - were just around the corner.

This film was borrowed from the Library Of Congress for Capitolfest, Rome N.Y., 8/12.