Blondie Has Servant Trouble

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.

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.

Eddie Murphy and the writers of the special effects laden (and leaden) "Haunted Mansion" could have learned a lesson or two by watching this workman-like picture, the sixth in the Blondie series. In this installment, Mr. Dithers asks the Bumsteads to move into a remote mansion until he can sell it. The house has a menacing butler, on-again, off-again utilities, and hidden passages and secret doors. "Blondie has Servant Trouble" provides an enjoyable mix of suspense and comedy. One sour note mars the movie: Ray Turner plays a chronically frightened African American – a standard stereotype of the period -- who faints at the slightest scare.

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.

Columbia Pictures made 28 Blondie and Dagwood films from 1939 through 1950 and they starred Arthur Lake (Dagwood), Penny Singleton (Blondie), Larry Simms (Baby Dumpling) and Daisy (as Daisy). And while there is a sort of quaint innocence about them, they are enjoyable family entertainment.

In this installment, Blondie is nagging Dagwood to ask Mr. Dithers for a raise, as she wants a maid. However, considering Dagwood is a working class stiff and Dithers is a tightwad, it's not surprising when Dagwood is told a loud and firm 'NO'! However, Mr. Dithers has an inspiration--instead of a raise, he'll let the Bumsteads stay in a mansion the company owns--hoping that by having some people living in it will make it easier to sell. Unfortunately, a maniac is loose and arrives at the house. So, instead of a nice getaway, it look like trouble for the Bumsteads.

This film is typical fun for the series--with Daisy and Baby Dumpling stealing most of the scenes. The only negative I notices is the presence of Ray Turner as 'Horatio'. Turner's career generally consisted of playing scared black men--a terrible stereotype that as once again exploited here in this film. Fortunately, however, despite this the Bumsteads treat him pretty much like part of the family--making this depiction a bit more progressive than usual.