Sing Sister Sing

This late entry in the 'Girl Friends' series is arguably the best one since Zasu Pitts left the series. I attribute this largely to two factors: a script in which the two ladies' personalities are more clearly differentiated than in other efforts -- Thelma is anal retentive and gets on the nerves of the short-tempered Patsy to highly amusing effect -- and to the superior comedy direction of Paul Parrott, Charley Chase's brother, who directed several of Laurel & Hardy's better shorts and who knew how to use the Roach studio's comedy staff to advantage. It is a pity that he did not stay on, but drug problems that led to his early death meant that he was on the downward slope, and Roach's closing of short subjects production the following year and Thelma Todd's murder put paid to any future.

In the meantime, this fine example of comedy remains. If you have a chance to see it, do so.