Blondie Has Servant Trouble

This is the eighth Blondie movie, and it is rather corny and inferior. It is not really about servant trouble at all, and the producers unwisely chose to try to pep up the series by basing this film on a terrible story by Albert Duffy, who had not written for Blondie before and mercifully never did again. The story was wholly artificial and out of character for the series. The Bumsteads go to stay for a few days in a large, isolated house which Mr. Dithers is attempting to sell, as executor of an Estate. Blondie had been getting one of her 'notions', this time that she wanted a maid, but of course could not afford one (hence the reference to 'servant trouble'). As the huge house is empty, the Bumsteads think this would be a fine break for them, and compensate Blondie for not being able to have a maid. But the house turns out to be 'haunted'. Of course it is not really haunted, but it once belonged to a man who manufactured magic tricks, some of which they bump into and have to pretend to be frightened. There are some really silly scenes, such as Dagwood getting a flashlight stuck in his mouth, and another where he jumps with fear at a pop-up opera hat. These scenes are not at all funny. Even Daisy the Dog seems dispirited at this ill-intentioned attempt to make us laugh at jokes which flop. She does fewer cute tricks than usual, and there are not really any good gag-lines in the script either. The adorable Larry Simms as Baby Dumpling is enjoyable to watch as always, but he looks bored too, and the whole idea of 'the Bumsteads in a haunted house' is so trite and boring that they should really not have made this inferior Blondie film at all. It turns out that the so-called butler who turns up and starts waiting on the Bumsteads is serious servant trouble, being really a homicidal maniac who has just escaped from court after knifing a lawyer in front of a judge. He is played with long face by the solemn Arthur Hohl, making his only Blondie appearance. When things get to the extreme of having a psychotic killer attack Blondie and Baby Dumpling with a knife, then we really have left Blondie territory and are in Abbot & Costello territory. We might as well be watching ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET THE GHOSTS (1948) with Bela Lugosi, or even watching Francis the talking mule in FRANCIS IN THE HAUNTED HOUSE (1956). This was a demented departure from what Dagwood and Blondie are meant to be all about, and the producers must have gone temporarily mad to make it. If the film had managed to be funny or even witty, we might put up with it, but frankly, why bother, when there are 27 other Blondie movies to choose from.

One of the best of Blondie series of films is this one that has the Bumsteads house sitting a haunted house. At least that's what the prevailing rumor is in the neighborhood.

The house is part of the estate that Jonathan Hale is the executor of. To quiet rumors he has Arthur Lake and Penny Singleton house sit the place. It's an old mansion complete with butler and maid Arthur Hohl and Esther Dale so at least for Singleton who's been complaining about the housewife work load she's eager for the job.

Every comedian eventually goes into a haunted house be it Bob Hope, Abbott&Costello and now the Bumsteads for one reason or another. They also get involved with some sinister help as Hohl and Dale are enough to creep anyone out.

A lot of strange things happen to the Bumsteads and at times only the fact that this is the Bumsteads and you know a funny gag or punchline is coming up are you not terrified. They also have an additional guest in Ray Turner who is there on a bet from his lodge, no doubt the Mystic Knights Of The Sea where Amos, Andy, and the Kingfish belong. And I'm sure for 1940 audiences that's just what the reference to a lodge for a black actor is supposed to mean.

In the end Mr. Dithers gives Dagwood a raise and that's always good for the Bumstead household.

Daisy can't get the newspaper because a black cat went across her path. Baby Dumpling (Larry Simms) knows his parents all too well and Alvin (Danny Mummert) comes in to offer his Good Morning advice. One thing I would like to point out here is that Fay Helm played Mrs. Fuddle. She played Alvin's mother in four Blondie films this being her last Blondie film. Today, (according to imdb.com) she is still alive at the good age of 89. I hope she enjoys watching the Blondie films as much as we do. This film, the sixth in the series, is real cute, however some scenes may be too much for young children to watch. The Bumsteads stay in a haunted house with secret doors and secret passages. Watch the fun begin. The next film in the series is BLONDIE PLAYS CUPID.

If you're a fan of the series, this has got to be a favorite episode, an old dark house thriller with magic, ghosts and chills.

It all starts out with Mr. Dithers inviting Dagwood, Blondie and Baby Dumpling to spend a plush weekend at a historic mansion. Knowing Dithers, there's a catch. He's been trying to sell the property, but rumors of it being haunted are scaring off buyers. Naturally, Dagwood has to prove it's all talk, and nothing else.

Director Frank R. Strayer adds some very atmospheric touches, including all the eerie background music. Strayer was a staple in directing many solid B mysteries in his career. The house comes with two servants, husband and wife Eric (Arthur Hohl) and Anna Vaughn (Esther Dale), who have some secrets. It turns out the home was once owned by a magician, now DEAD, and Eric claiming he was swindled. Hohl is excellent in this role, best at playing heavies and suspicious types in a long career. Likewise, Esther Dale, who appeared in many classic films, later tv.

Adding some much needed comedy is the appearance of Ray Turner, playing goofy Horatio. His deal is he's a member of a fraternity and MUST spend the weekend in the haunted house. Turner, who played scores of bellhops and porters, is hoot and it's a shame he did not return to the series. Best gag finds Dagwood "accidentally" sticking a flash light in his mouth -- and he can't get it out. Arthur Lake is laugh out loud funny here.

Super entertainment, and an adventurous switch to thrills and chills. Don't miss the ending. Check out the classic movie poster, also there are some studio publicity photos from the film that are terrific and still in circulation. Always on dvd, and thanks to MOVIES Net for running this golden oldie Saturday mornings.

A good mixture of mirth and fright are the kind of scary movies I enjoyed as a kid, and this one--BLONDIE HAS SERVANT TROUBLE--was at the top of the list. Any film with a haunted house theme always got my attention--still does--and when my favorite comic book characters are included, it's a no brainer that I'd love it.

In this one, Dagwood asks for a raise when Blondie complains about their money situation preventing her from hiring a servant. Mr. Dithers agrees, but only on one condition. The Bumsteads must stay for a week in a house he has trouble renting because it's rumored to be haunted.

That's the set-up, and of course they do move in and undergo all sorts of strange goings on until the mystery behind all the mishaps is explained. Baby Dumpling proves brighter than his parents in guessing some of the clues and even the dog is smart enough to know there are spooks around.

DANNY MUMMERT is still the precocious Alvin Fuddle with the genius IQ, JONATHAN HALE is still Mr. Dithers and IRVING BACON plays the unlucky mailman who gets stomped on when the Bumsteads get spooked and leave the house like speeding bullets. Bacon had a remarkable career as the mailman, as well as some choice roles in a number of classic films like SPELLBOUND (the ticket man at the train terminal who has the film's final double take).

Still remains my favorite in the series on a nostalgic basis--although I'm sure a few of the others were a good deal funnier.