Earthworm Tractors

Joe E. Brown was the star of some of these short films produced by Warner Bros. Mr. Brown was an excellent comedy actor, as can be appreciated in "Earthworm Tractors". The film relies on its star to be the center of the action in this funny movie that shows Mr. Brown's talents under the direction of Ray Enright.

The film has some amazing sequences that makes the viewer wonder how were they executed because in those days the special effects technology wasn't that much developed. The first one involves Alexander Botts (Joe E. Brown) give the prospective client, Sam Johnson (Guy Kibbee) a demonstration and we watch the tractor practically destroy everything in sight! The second one is at the end of the film and again, Alexander takes the scared Mr. Johnson to a place where dynamite is being used to clear the area and we watch in disbelief how Botts make it through a suspended bridge that keeps shedding its base as he goes up, an amazing feat for 1936.

Joe E. Brown gives an incredible performance. The supporting cast, June Travis, Guy Kibbee, Charles Wilson, Carol Hughes and Dick Foran, among others, are also good.

Catch it whenever is shown on cable. It's always a pleasure to see Joe E. Brown on the screen.

This exceptionally noisy comedy is an absolute must for all Joe E. Brown and mechanical tractor fans. Others may find Mr Brown's determined camera-hogging heavy going, though it must be admitted that all the other major male players (with the notable exception of Dick Foran) try to steal scenes too by constantly shouting at the top of their voices.

Although June Travis is pretty enough, the girls get hardly a look-in.

Of course there are also several spectacularly staged accidents to keep our eyes riveted on Mr Brown. And it must be admitted, director Enright keeps the plot moving along at a commendably rapid pace.

The world premier of this movie was held in Peoria Illinois in 1936. Peoria is the home of Caterpillar tractor company on which the Earthworm tractor was loosely based. The movie referred to Peoria being the base for Earthworm Tractor Co. Joe E. Brown attended the premier and the street in front of the Madison theater was packed. It was also one of the hottest nights of the season.

Alexander C. Botts - a natural born salesman - tries to sell EARTHWORM TRACTORS to a most unwilling businessman.

Based on William Hazlett Upson's short stories for the Saturday Evening Post, this very funny, fast-paced film is an excellent vehicle for Joe E. Brown. His great rubbery face registering amusement, determination or frustration, Brown propels himself from one slapstick situation to another. His goofy antics - moving his girlfriend's house without her permission is just one of them - are genuinely hilarious.

Human pepper pot Guy Kibbee is Brown's perfect foil. Eyes bulging & voice booming, he inevitably finds himself involved in Brown's more dangerous schemes. At one point, words utterly failing him, he discovers his only possible response to Brown's incredible behavior is a quick sock on the jaw.

Mention should be made of laconic Olin Howlin, shoe polish guzzling Gene Lockhart & telephone operator Rosalind Marquis, each of whom add bright moments to the film.

Alert movie mavens will spot two humorous goofs early in the film: 1) In the first scene, when rival Dick Foran parks his car in front of pretty Carol Hughes' home, the cameraman & camera are perfectly reflected in the convertible's driver side window; 2) A little later on, Joe E. Brown's white suit is mad-splattered when he tries to extricate lovely June Travis' auto from a puddle - but when he jumps in with her moments later the fabric has miraculously laundered itself.

Takes a while to get moving but really gathers steam. Employs one of the most sure-fire comedy recipes: take a gung-ho dimwit and pair him with a grumpy old coot and you're just about guaranteed to get laughs. I wasn't really familiar with Joe E. Brown's work before this movie and had generally avoided films from the 30's (for no good reason) but consider me a fan. He's a funny guy, though perhaps it's a brand of humor that works best in the 1930's. His "natural born salesman" Alexander Botts never loses confidence in his abilities despite the fact that he is quite frankly, a total screw-up. What is somewhat unique about his comic persona is that he gleefully, recklessly puts himself in situations where he is in way over his head and knows it, but doesn't seem to care. One way or another, he's sure he will always land on his feet. This sort of attitude must have had enormous appeal in the Depression era.

Maybe a little too broad and "cute" at times, it is also quite inspired at others. It has a carefree loopiness that's very endearing and some rather elaborate stunts and sight gags. The whole thing is really just a fun loving excuse to get Brown and Guy Kibbee (who is a master at the art of bloated befuddlement) together and watch the sparks fly.