How to Hold Your Husband - BACK

A Smith called Pete narrates this short comedy, in which Greta Granstedt -- a name that Smith might come up with, but was actually hers -- plays three wives who wreck their husbands' careers. It's all personality.

Once upon a time, I liked this Smith short a lot, but I found it annoying on this viewing. Perhaps it was the large cast and lack of personality of anyone save the annoying Miss Granstedt. Director Johnny Hines, a light comedy star of silent movies, seems to have hired all of his old performing pals, who are given very little to do, while Pete goes on with his trademark snark. Usually, his is the only voice heard in these shorts, but here, Miss Granstedt can be heard over the telephone, for what that's worth.

How to Hold Your Husband - Back (1941)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Charming, if not totally funny, short from Pete Smith talks about three types of wives that could hold their husbands back from getting what they wanted. The first type of wife is the one who hates to see her husband leave in the morning and is constantly calling him up at work to check on him. The second wife over does everything to make sure her husband's poker game goes off without a problem. Then, finally, we get the type of wife who knows everything and plans on helping her husband avoid the draft. I will admit that none of the three stories made me laugh but at the same time all three were charming enough to make the film worth sitting through. Of the three stories I'd say that the second one was the best as the guy's are just wanting to smoke, talk dirty and play cards but the wife is constantly butting in. Smith's narration can certainly get a lot of credit for keeping the film moving since the laughs are lacking.