À visage découvert

From start to finish, this 1926 classic two reeler from the Hal Roach Studios seems to sum up what was fun about the 20's. It stars the now forgotten comic genius, Charley Chase and was directed by the legendary Leo McCarey, who was unknown then but would earn his keep with Roach and graduate to greener pastures in the 30's and 40's. Recently released onto video and disc, this is one of the ten best examples of silent screen comedy and should be seen by audiences of all ages. Although today his star has virtually diminished, Charley Chase was considered the leader in the short subject comedy field in the waning years of the silents. He helped the careers of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy before they were brought together as a team, Leo McCarey and a host of other talents. It is a shame that he is all but remembered today. Check out this little gem of a film. Once you do, you will be seeking out other films from this classic comic. He had his hand in over 300 films and many of them survive. Rediscover this lost giant of a film from a bygone era and its giant star.

Vivien Oakland today is best remembered as the judge's wife who ends up drunkenly cavorting in her bedroom with Laurel & Hardy in their classic 1932 short 'Scram!'; but Charley Chase's legendary generosity to his fellow actors is once again in evidence in how sexy and funny she is allowed to be in this preposterous but hilarious silent classic which also takes a very relaxed pre-Code attitude to a pair of would-be adulterers.

We saw it the other day on the big screen, with theater organ accompaniment.

You all know the plot and the outcome, from the other reviews. Chase is great in this one. In one big scene, he's both the aggrieved husband and the "other guy" trying to cut in on Mrs Moose. The two of him duke it out in a hallway behind a door. He's in a house-robe, and the other he's in a suit, with a hat. (Ever notice how many men wore hats in those days?).

You might have missed the line near the end, where the dog recognizes Mr Moose when he puts the fake teeth back in - and the screen caption reads "Ah! His master's teeth".

One of the most well-known advertising line was RCA Victrola's "His Master's Voice".

After a homely married couple separately undergo plastic surgery, they unwittingly plan an extramarital affair with each other.

This was directed by Leo McCarey, who really did not come into his own until the 1940s, making films along the same lines as Frank Capra. I had no idea he was involved in the silent comedy business.

Charley Chase (1893–1940) was an American comedian, actor, screenwriter and film director, best known for his work in Hal Roach short film comedies. He was the older brother of comedian/director James Parrott. Somehow I had never heard of Charley Chase before... he just does not get listed with Lloyd, Keaton, Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy... but maybe he should be. This concept was revolutionary and there is even a gigolo!

For all its silliness, "Mighty Like A Moose" is a very enjoyable feature, and has almost everything you could ask for in a short silent comedy. The premise, beginning with a mix-up between a married couple played by Charley Chase and Vivien Oakland, is goofy, but it's amusing and has potential. From there, the script makes good use of the possibilities, the two stars bring it off well, and Gale Henry also helps out in one funny scene. There's lots of activity, very little of it plausible, but all of it paced nicely, with a number of entertaining details.

The climactic sequence is very good. There are other movies from the era that tried something similar, but this one is especially well-crafted and humorous. It all fits together well, and is well worth watching if you enjoy silent comedies.