James Finlayson manages to con Charley into becoming his partner in a failing dry cleaning shop that has been targeted by gangsters running a protection racket.James Finlayson manages to con Charley into becoming his partner in a failing dry cleaning shop that has been targeted by gangsters running a protection racket.James Finlayson manages to con Charley into becoming his partner in a failing dry cleaning shop that has been targeted by gangsters running a protection racket.
Ernie Alexander
- Busy store employee
- (uncredited)
Harry Arras
- Cop
- (uncredited)
Eddie Baker
- Traffic Cop
- (uncredited)
Harry Bernard
- Racketeer
- (uncredited)
Lew Davis
- Dennis - Theatre Assistant
- (uncredited)
Charles Dorety
- Attendant with Hose
- (uncredited)
Estelle Etterre
- Customer at Door
- (uncredited)
Dick Gilbert
- Henchman
- (uncredited)
Pete Gordon
- Busy store employee
- (uncredited)
Charlie Hall
- Brandenburg Cleaners Man
- (uncredited)
Charles Lloyd
- Customer in store
- (uncredited)
Sam Lufkin
- Cop
- (uncredited)
Charles McMurphy
- Cop
- (uncredited)
Featured reviews
When the story begins, James Finlayson is operating a dry cleaning store with two huge problems: it has very few customers AND the mob is demanding 'protection money'. So, he hatches a plan to find some sucker to become his partner so he can pay off the mobsters...or not. But to do that, he arranges to have tons of people in the place in order to make it look like a sure thing when a prospective client, Charley Chase, arrives. Following this, things get nasty...real nasty!
This is a cute and funny short. I was stuck between giving it a 7 or 8....but I know I enjoyed it and think it's well written and well worth your time.
This is a cute and funny short. I was stuck between giving it a 7 or 8....but I know I enjoyed it and think it's well written and well worth your time.
James Finlayson's cleaning business isn't doing any business, and some hoods want his money for a protection racket. Fortunately, Charley Chase is interested in buying half the business, particular after he is sent to a customer -- Anita Garvin in her underwear, as Fin's wife. After Fin -- sans mustache -- gets the money, he rushes off, leaving Charley to take a package from the mob, containing a bomb.
With a cast like that -- and Muriel Evans, of course, as the ultimate object of Charley's affections -- it's probably the best of this season of Chase's short comedies for Hal Roach. Charley pulls a few gags that would not be acceptable the following year -- not only Anita's lingerie, but a guy walking around in his shorts, and the final gag shot. Enjoy!
With a cast like that -- and Muriel Evans, of course, as the ultimate object of Charley's affections -- it's probably the best of this season of Chase's short comedies for Hal Roach. Charley pulls a few gags that would not be acceptable the following year -- not only Anita's lingerie, but a guy walking around in his shorts, and the final gag shot. Enjoy!
Charley Chase, a funny man who never got the acclaim of Chaplain, Keaton and Laurel and Hardy, stars as the object of a con set up by the wonderful James Finalyson, the owner of a dismal cleaning shop that is being eyed by the local muscle, who happens to run a racket for protection. Charley takes on the job, but when a package is dropped off, he doesn't know that he's become a target...for that package is a bomb. Chase is an utterly charming performer who plays the perfect clean cut, shy guy who happens to get himself into sticky situations. A performer worthy of rediscovery!
Did you know
- TriviaCharley gives the cop his real birth date.
- GoofsSurviving print, as shown on Turner Classic Movies, begins with the 1944 Film Classics re-release title card, which misspells Charley's name as "Charlie".
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Pas på bomben Charlie Chase
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime20 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content