The Girl in the Tonneau

Helen Mann and Dick Stewart are in love. Her father, Arthur Stone, disapproves of Stewart and wants her to marry Luis Alberni. So disappointed Alberni lover, Nona Mozelle shows up and makes a fuss.

The first two sentences describe the basic set-up of many a Mack Sennett film, running back in the days when he was turning out comedies for Biograph. That's hardly surprising; it's an old story, of two young lovers, and so forth. Unhappily, by the time this came out, Sennett, his writers and directors were running out of novel variations on the theme. Still, it's a sturdy plot, and the rising ranks of policemen who stop Stone at the end is nicely calculated.

While "The Girl in the Tonneau" was directed by Babe Stafford, it was made for the Mack Sennett Company....and it does remind me of Sennett's old silent comedies. This is because although it's a sound film, there are some real familiar slapstick elements...such as a crazed woman running about shooting at people and lots of folks getting bonked! It's also mildly amusing.

When the story begins, Dad insists that his daughter not marry some reporter but instead marry Luis. The problem is that Luis is a playboy and he's got Dad fooled. But when the three of them go on a hunting trip, the lady Luis jilted shows up and things get crazy. And, after this 'lady' burns up all of their clothes, Dad and his daughter are forced to try to drive home in the PJs...when they are stopped by a cop.

This is a mildly enjoyable film. And, fortunately, the film isn't all mindless slapstick. Cute and enjoyable.

By the way, a 'tonneau' is a cargo area...either on a pickup truck or the rumble seat of a car.