Gigolettes

"Gigolettes" is a film in the Gay Girl Comedies series from RKO/Pathé. I found a copy of this film posted on YouTube and the accompanying information says that it's the only known remaining film from the series. And, interestingly, it was directed by Fatty Arbuckle.

The story finds the three women out of work and in need of money. They are able to get a lease on a nearby roadhouse...though they don't realize it's because the place is notorious and has been raided repeatedly due to violations of Prohibition. And, because of this reputation, the place is practically a ghost town once they re-open it. In fact, their only patron is Mr. Smith....a man who is mentally ill but they don't realize it. He promises to help them by bringing his dozens of friends and sure enough the place is packed....but lunatics who cannot pay for this party.

There is one problem with this film....it's just not particularly funny. Having a character being insane in and of itself isn't funny and the writers did nothing to use this to comedic advantage. If the rest of the films in the series were this unfunny, I can see how the series failed to catch on with the public.

June MacCloy, Marion Shilling, and Gertrude Short need work, so they take a lease on an abandoned roadhouse. Unfortunately, their only customer is Broderick O'Farrell, an escaped lunatic, who proposes to throw a big party to put them on the map..... and also attract Prohibition Agents Heinie Conklin and Bud Jamison.

It the fifth of six shorts starring the three ladies, the "Gay Girl Comedies." Never heard of it? That's because this is the only one that exists. It starts slowly and predictably, although Miss MacCloy sings a couple of songs in her surprising deep contralto. As the party goes on and the raid begins, it picks up pace for a good ending.