Hal Roach Starting with “A”

Air Fright (1933) — Thelma Todd & Patsy Kelly

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~17 minutes)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: MGM
  • Director: Gus Meins
  • Release Date: December 23, 1933
  • Series: Part of the Thelma Todd & Patsy Kelly comedy cycle

Cast

  • Thelma Todd as Thelma — the poised, competent half of the duo
  • Patsy Kelly as Patsy — the chaotic comic foil
  • Don Barclay as Mr. Barclay — eccentric inventor of the experimental plane
  • Billy Bletcher as Stunt Aviator — physical comedy specialist
  • Wilfred Lucas as Airline Superintendent — straight man to the chaos

Plot Summary

Todd and Kelly are hired as stewardesses on an experimental airplane designed by a madcap inventor. What begins as a promotional flight quickly devolves into airborne chaos, with mechanical failures, slapstick mishaps, and Kelly’s signature panic. The short blends aviation satire with Roach’s trademark physical comedy.

Style & Legacy

  • Classic example of Roach’s female-led slapstick shorts
  • Features early aviation tropes and workplace absurdity
  • Marks the evolution of Todd/Kelly chemistry after ZaSu Pitts’ departure
  • Noted for its tight pacing and ensemble comic timing

Streaming Availability

You can watch Air Fright (1933) in full on YouTube:

It’s also listed in the Hal Roach Shorts collection on the Internet Archive, though the link may be unstable or removed

Air-Tight (1931) — The Boy Friends

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~17 minutes)
  • Series: The Boy Friends (7th entry in the 15-film series)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: MGM
  • Director: George Stevens (later acclaimed for Shane and Giant)
  • Writer: H.M. Walker
  • Release Date: May 9, 1931

Cast

  • David Sharpe as Dave — the daredevil pilot and club leader
  • Gertrude Messinger as Gertie — spirited and supportive
  • Mary Kornman as Mary — romantic interest and voice of reason
  • Mickey Daniels as Mickey — comic instigator
  • Betty Bolen as Betty — ensemble support
  • Grady Sutton as Alabam — reluctant flyer and comic victim

Plot Summary

The college aerial club gathers at an airfield to launch a new glider. Alabam (Grady Sutton), teased for being afraid to fly, agrees to pose for a photo in the cockpit. But Mickey Daniels mistakenly hooks the glider to his car and drives off — launching Alabam into the sky. Chaos ensues as Dave and Mickey scramble to bring him down, while the glider’s owner gives chase. The short blends aerial stunt footage with classic Roach slapstick.

Style & Legacy

  • Aviation slapstick meets college comedy
  • Features early stunt work by David Sharpe
  • Directed by George Stevens, who later became an Oscar-winning filmmaker
  • Noted for its ambitious aerial footage and ensemble pacing

Streaming Availability

You can watch Air-Tight (1931) in full on YouTube:

Aladdin’s Lantern (1938) — Our Gang / Little Rascals

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~10 minutes)
  • Series: Our Gang (171st entry)
  • Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Gordon Douglas
  • Writers: Hal Law, Robert A. McGowan
  • Release Date: September 17, 1938

Cast

  • George “Spanky” McFarland as Spanky / Caliph
  • Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer as Aladdin
  • Darla Hood as Darla
  • Billie “Buckwheat” Thomas as Buckwheat
  • Eugene “Porky” Lee as Porky
  • Gary Jasgur as Gary
  • Darwood Kaye as Waldo
  • Leonard Landy as Deacon
  • Joe “Corky” Geil as Tap-dancing boy
  • Billy Minderhout as Genie
  • George the Monkey as Elmer

Plot Summary

The gang stages a chaotic school play based on the story of Aladdin and His Magic Lamp. Spanky and Alfalfa try to stick to the script, but Buckwheat and Porky derail the performance with improvised antics. The climax features Alfalfa’s backside catching fire on stage, leading to a comedic finale where he cools off in a washing machine full of water — which begins to boil from the heat.

Style & Legacy

  • Combines musical comedy, school play satire, and slapstick
  • Marks the final Our Gang short directed by Gordon Douglas
  • First MGM-produced entry with George McFarland back as Spanky
  • Noted for its stage effects, tap-dancing sequences, and ensemble timing

Streaming Availability

You can watch Aladdin’s Lantern (1938) in full on YouTube – Not Free to Watch

 Alfalfa’s Aunt (1939) — Our Gang / Little Rascals

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~10 minutes)
  • Series: Our Gang (176th entry overall, 88th talkie)
  • Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: George Sidney
  • Writers: Hal Law, Robert A. McGowan
  • Release Date: January 7, 1939

Cast

  • Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer as Alfalfa
  • George “Spanky” McFarland as Spanky
  • Billie “Buckwheat” Thomas as Buckwheat
  • Eugene “Porky” Lee as Porky
  • Leonard Landy as Leonard
  • Gary Jasgur as Slapsie
  • Marie Blake as Aunt Penelope
  • Barbara Bedford as Mrs. Switzer

Plot Summary

Alfalfa’s Aunt Penelope, a mystery novelist, comes to babysit while his parents are away. When Alfalfa finds a page from her manuscript describing a murder — written in the first person — he panics, believing she plans to kill him. He enlists the gang to help protect him, leading to a series of comic attempts to rid the house of “dangerous” objects. The misunderstanding escalates until Aunt Penelope reveals the truth, and the gang sheepishly retreats.

Style & Legacy

  • Classic misunderstanding plot with gothic overtones
  • Features early MGM-era atmosphere, with more polished cinematography
  • Marie Blake’s eccentric performance as Aunt Penelope adds theatrical flair
  • Noted for its tight ensemble timing and dark-comedy tone, rare for Our Gang

Streaming Availability

You can watch Alfalfa’s Aunt (1939) in full on YouTube:

Watch Alfalfa’s Aunt (1939) on YouTube

It’s also available via the Internet Archive

An All-American Toothache (1936) — Thelma Todd & Patsy Kelly

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~20 minutes)
  • Series: Final entry in the Thelma Todd & Patsy Kelly series
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Gus Meins
  • Writers: H.M. Walker (dialogue), Leroy Shield (music)
  • Release Date: January 25, 1936

Cast

  • Thelma Todd as Thelma Alice Todd
  • Patsy Kelly as Patricia Veronica Kelly
  • Johnny Arthur as The Dental Professor
  • Mickey Daniels as Elmer
  • Duke York as Coach Bill
  • Billy Bletcher, Bud Jamison, Si Jenks in supporting roles

Plot Summary

Thelma and Patsy get involved in a college football scheme when Patsy’s tooth is rumored to have magical properties that could help Elmira win the big game. Thelma volunteers Patsy as a dental subject for her friend’s practice, leading to a series of slapstick mishaps in the dentist’s office. The plot blends sports satire, dental chaos, and classic Roach-style physical comedy.

Style & Legacy

  • Marks the final appearance of Thelma Todd in the series, released posthumously after her death in December 1935
  • Features ensemble slapstick, sports parody, and workplace absurdity
  • Noted for its bittersweet tone and Todd’s enduring comic timing
  • A transitional piece between the Todd/Kelly and later Kelly-only shorts

Streaming Availability

You can watch An All-American Toothache (1936) in full on the Internet Archive – Currently Not Available

All Teed Up (1930) — Charley Chase

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~21 minutes)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Edgar Kennedy
  • Writers: H.M. Walker (dialogue), Leo McCarey (story)
  • Release Date: 1930

Cast

  • Charley Chase as Mr. Chase — a clueless but charming golfer
  • Thelma Todd as Thelma — daughter of the country club president
  • Tenen Holtz as Senator Brown — one of the VIPs Charley annoys
  • Dell Henderson as Judge Quirt — another club dignitary
  • Carl Stockdale as Dr. Pickett — part of the elite foursome
  • Edgar Kennedy (uncredited cameo) as Thelma’s father — delivers a Depression-era punchline

Plot Summary

Charley Chase is invited by Thelma Todd to play golf at her father’s exclusive country club. Through a mix-up, he ends up at the wrong club and proceeds to wreak havoc on the course. Despite having never played golf, Charley somehow performs well — while irritating every dignitary in sight. The short builds on mistaken identity, social satire, and Chase’s signature “fish out of water” chaos.

Style & Legacy

  • Exemplifies Charley Chase’s musical-comedy timing, with a song over the opening credits
  • Features Thelma Todd’s early chemistry with Chase — a pairing he hoped to formalize
  • Directed by Edgar Kennedy, who adds his own comic sensibility and appears in a final gag
  • Noted for its golf-themed slapstick, mistaken identity, and ensemble pacing

Streaming Availability

You can watch All Teed Up (1930) in full on YouTube

Alum and Eve (1932) — Thelma Todd & ZaSu Pitts

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~19 minutes)
  • Series: Thelma Todd & ZaSu Pitts comedy series
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: George Marshall
  • Writers: H.M. Walker (dialogue), Leo McCarey (story)
  • Release Date: September 24, 1932

Cast

  • ZaSu Pitts as ZaSu — the nervous, scatterbrained half of the duo
  • Thelma Todd as Thelma — the confident, quick-witted counterpart
  • James C. Morton as Policeman — foil to the duo’s antics
  • Almeda Fowler as Matron — supporting role in the hospital sequence

Plot Summary

Thelma and ZaSu are pulled over for speeding, and in a panic, claim they’re rushing to the hospital. To maintain the lie, they pretend to be nurses — leading to a series of chaotic misadventures inside the hospital. ZaSu’s nervous energy and Thelma’s improvisational bravado collide with real patients, suspicious staff, and a cop who won’t let go of the story. The title is a pun on “Adam and Eve,” with “Alum” referencing a bitter taste — fitting the duo’s comic chemistry.

Style & Legacy

  • Classic Roach-style slapstick with female leads
  • Features hospital farce, mistaken identity, and ensemble chaos
  • One of the standout entries in the Todd/Pitts series for its pacing and setting
  • Directed by George Marshall, who later helmed Destry Rides Again and The Blue Dahlia

Streaming Availability

You can watch Alum and Eve (1932) in full on YouTube via The Sprocket Vault

Anniversary Trouble (1935) — Our Gang / Little Rascals

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~17 minutes)
  • Series: Our Gang (140th entry overall, 52nd talkie)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Gus Meins
  • Writers: Hal Law, Robert A. McGowan
  • Release Date: April 27, 1935

Cast

  • George “Spanky” McFarland as Spanky
  • Billie “Buckwheat” Thomas as Buckwheat
  • Matthew “Stymie” Beard as Stymie
  • Scotty Beckett as Scotty
  • Leonard Kibrick as Leonard (bully)
  • Carl Switzer as Alfalfa (uncredited cameo)
  • Tommy Bond as Tommy (uncredited cameo)

Plot Summary

Spanky overhears his parents discussing their wedding anniversary and mistakenly believes they’re planning to separate. In a panic, he enlists the gang to help “save the marriage,” leading to a series of comic misunderstandings and schemes — including a disastrous breakfast-in-bed surprise and a botched gift delivery. The short blends domestic farce with heartfelt sentiment, showcasing Spanky’s leadership and the gang’s loyalty.

Style & Legacy

  • Classic misunderstanding-driven plot with emotional stakes
  • Features early Buckwheat and Stymie interplay, plus Scotty’s charm
  • Noted for its mature themes handled with childlike innocence
  • A standout entry in the mid-1930s Our Gang canon

Streaming Availability

You can watch Anniversary Trouble (1935) in full on Internet Archive #49 on the list.

Another Fine Mess (1930) — Laurel & Hardy

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~28 minutes)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: James Parrott
  • Writers: H.M. Walker, Arthur J. Jefferson (based on his 1908 play Home from the Honeymoon)
  • Release Date: November 29, 1930
  • Remake of: Laurel and Hardy’s 1927 silent short Duck Soup

Cast

  • Stan Laurel as Stan (posing as butler “Hives” and maid “Agnes”)
  • Oliver Hardy as Ollie (posing as Colonel Buckshot)
  • Thelma Todd as Lady Plumtree
  • James Finlayson as Colonel Wilburforce Buckshot
  • Charles K. Gerrard as Lord Plumtree

Plot Summary

Fleeing from a policeman, Stan and Ollie hide in the basement of a vacant mansion owned by Colonel Buckshot. When a wealthy couple arrives to rent the home, Ollie impersonates the absent colonel, while Stan juggles dual roles as both butler and maid — leading to a series of quick-change disguises and escalating confusion. The farce builds until the real Buckshot returns, prompting a chaotic escape on a tandem bicycle that ends with the duo pedaling away on unicycles.

Style & Legacy

  • Features Laurel’s drag performance as “Agnes,” a rare pre-Code gag
  • One of the earliest examples of Laurel and Hardy’s mistaken identity formula
  • The title popularized the phrase “another fine mess,” though Ollie actually says “another nice mess”
  • Includes Thelma Todd’s elegant comic timing and Finlayson’s classic slow-burn reactions

Streaming Availability

You can watch Another Fine Mess (1930) in full on YouTube:

Internet Archive #2 on list

Another Wild Idea (1934) — Charley Chase

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~17 minutes)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Charley Chase & Eddie Dunn
  • Release Date: June 16, 1934
  • Genre: Pre-Code science fiction comedy

Cast

  • Charley Chase as Charley — the unsuspecting boyfriend
  • Betty Mack as Betty — daughter of the eccentric inventor
  • Frank Austin as Betty’s Father — creator of the inhibition-removing ray gun
  • Harry Bernard as Cop — comic foil in one of the film’s standout scenes

Plot Summary

Betty’s father invents a ray gun that removes a person’s inhibitions. Hoping to break up Betty’s relationship with the timid Charley, he zaps him with the device — but the plan backfires. Charley becomes bold, assertive, and increasingly chaotic. He flirts with strangers, assaults a cop, and ends up on trial. The film blends science fiction absurdity with classic Roach slapstick, culminating in a courtroom farce.

Style & Legacy

  • One of Roach’s few sci-fi themed comedies, with a surreal tone
  • Features Charley Chase’s duality — from meek to manic
  • Includes a standout scene where Chase, dressed as King Henry VIII, casually greets a cop: “Morning, officer.” — “Morning, Henry.”
  • Noted for its inventive premise, masquerade gags, and pre-Code boldness

Streaming Availability

You can watch Another Wild Idea (1934) in full on YouTube:

Any Old Port! (1932) — Laurel & Hardy

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~21 minutes)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: James W. Horne
  • Writers: H.M. Walker, Charley Rogers, James Parrott
  • Release Date: March 5, 1932
  • Genre: Slapstick, boxing farce, pre-Code comedy

Cast

  • Stan Laurel as Stan — the reluctant boxer
  • Oliver Hardy as Ollie — the self-appointed manager
  • Walter Long as Mugsy Long — villainous hotel owner and boxer
  • Jacqueline Wells (later Julie Bishop) as the maid — damsel in distress

Plot Summary

Stan and Ollie, two sailors ashore, seek lodging at a rundown hotel run by Mugsy Long. They discover Mugsy plans to force his maid into marriage, prompting the duo to intervene. After a chaotic escape, they realize they’ve left their money behind and agree to a boxing match for quick cash. Ollie volunteers Stan as the fighter — only to discover his opponent is none other than Mugsy. A loaded glove gag, mistaken bets, and a frantic chase around the ring ensue, culminating in Stan’s accidental victory and Ollie’s betrayal when he reveals he bet against him.

Style & Legacy

  • Features classic Laurel and Hardy mistaken identity and role reversal
  • Includes one of their most memorable boxing sequences, rivaling Battle of the Century
  • Jacqueline Wells adds emotional stakes as the threatened maid
  • The title popularized the phrase “another fine mess,” though Ollie actually says “another nice mess”

Streaming Availability

You can watch Any Old Port! in full on YouTube in restored quality:

Watch Any Old Port! (1932) on YouTube

It’s also featured on the Internet Archive #3 on the list

Apples to You! (1934) — All-Star Musical

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel musical comedy (~20 minutes)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Leigh Jason
  • Release Date: April 14, 1934
  • Series: Part of Roach’s All-Star musical shorts

Cast

  • Billy Gilbert as Pinsky — burlesque impresario
  • Lillian Miles as Blonde Burlesque Queen — soprano with a flair for chaos
  • Don Barclay as Opera Conductor (uncredited) — caught in the crossfire of genres
  • Will Stanton, Wilfred Lucas, Eddie Borden, and Hedda Hopper in supporting roles

Plot Summary

The Cosmopolitan Opera House is failing financially and artistically. In desperation, the board hires Pinsky, a burlesque theater director, to revitalize the company. He transforms a staid production of The Barber of Seville into a raucous burlesque spectacle — complete with dancing “Barberettes,” flying costumes, and musical mashups. The opera’s overture is interrupted by vaudeville antics, and the finale features the surreal number “Would You for a Big Red Apple?”

Style & Legacy

  • A rare genre collision of opera and burlesque
  • Billy Gilbert’s physical comedy anchors the chaos
  • Lillian Miles delivers a deliberately shrill soprano performance
  • Noted for its pre-Code boldness, ensemble timing, and musical parody
  • Often cited as one of Roach’s most offbeat shorts

Streaming Availability

Watch Apples to You! (1934) on YouTube – Not available

Arabian Tights (1933) — Charley Chase

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~20 minutes)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Charles Parrott (aka Charley Chase)
  • Release Date: May 6, 1933
  • Genre: Adventure parody, slapstick farce

Cast

  • Charley Chase as Charley — the hapless American tourist
  • Muriel Evans as Muriel — romantic interest and fellow captive
  • Carlton Griffin as Sultan — comic villain
  • Bobby Dunn, Baldwin Cooke, and Tiny Sandford in supporting roles

Plot Summary

Charley and his pals are vacationing in North Africa when they’re mistaken for spies and captured by a local sultan. Thrown into a dungeon, they must escape using a mix of disguises, slapstick, and accidental heroism. Muriel Evans plays a fellow captive who joins the escape effort. The short parodies desert adventure films of the era, with Chase’s trademark blend of physical comedy and mistaken identity.

Style & Legacy

  • A rare Middle Eastern-themed parody from Roach Studios
  • Features Chase’s directorial flair, including fast pacing and ensemble timing
  • Noted for its costume gags, trapdoor escapes, and musical interludes
  • Often cited as one of Chase’s more surreal entries from the early 1930s

Streaming Availability

You can watch Arabian Tights (1933) in full on these platforms:

Arbor Day (1936) — Our Gang / Little Rascals

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~17 minutes)
  • Series: Our Gang (145th entry overall)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Fred C. Newmeyer
  • Writer: Jack Jevne
  • Release Date: May 2, 1936
  • Genre: School comedy, musical farce

Cast

  • Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer as Alfalfa
  • George “Spanky” McFarland as Spanky
  • Darla Hood as Darla
  • Billie “Buckwheat” Thomas as Buckwheat
  • Betsy Gay as Ballet dancer
  • George Brasno & Olive Brasno as circus midgets mistaken for children
  • Hattie McDaniel as Buckwheat’s mother
  • Rosina Lawrence as Miss Lawrence (schoolteacher)
  • Maurice Cass as Principal Cass
  • George Guhl as Truant Officer Smithers

Plot Summary

Spanky tries to skip school to avoid participating in the annual Arbor Day pageant. Meanwhile, a pair of circus midgets (George and Olive Brasno) sneak away from their sideshow jobs and disguise themselves as children. Truant officer Smithers mistakes them for kids and drags them to school, where they join the gang in a painfully earnest recital of Joyce Kilmer’s poem “Trees.” Alfalfa’s off-key singing and Buckwheat’s coached lines add to the chaos. The Brasnos eventually hijack the show with a vaudeville shimmy routine, shocking the audience and getting Smithers fired.

Style & Legacy

  • Features musical parody, school satire, and vaudeville crossover
  • Marks the first appearance of Rosina Lawrence as the gang’s teacher
  • Includes Hattie McDaniel in a warm comic role
  • Noted for its pre-Code boldness, especially the Brasnos’ adult-style dance
  • Final Our Gang short in the traditional two-reel format before MGM shortened future entries

Streaming Availability

You can watch Arbor Day (1936) in full on YouTube:

Watch Arbor Day (1936) on YouTube

Internet Archive #60 on the List

Asleep in the Feet (1933) — Thelma Todd & ZaSu Pitts

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~19 minutes)
  • Series: Thelma Todd & ZaSu Pitts comedy cycle
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Gus Meins
  • Release Date: January 21, 1933
  • Genre: Depression-era slapstick, dance hall farce

Cast

  • ZaSu Pitts as ZaSu — the timid, exhausted roommate
  • Thelma Todd as Thelma — the confident, fast-talking counterpart
  • Billy Gilbert as Mr. Gilbert — dance hall proprietor
  • Eddie Dunn as Sailor — comic suitor
  • Anita Garvin, Kay Lavelle, and Clara Guiol in uncredited supporting roles

Plot Summary

After a long day working at a department store, Thelma and ZaSu return to their rooming house only to learn that their neighbor is about to be evicted unless she can raise $20. Determined to help, the girls moonlight as taxi dancers at a local dance hall. Their attempts to charm patrons — including a bearded eccentric and a boisterous sailor — lead to comic misfires, wardrobe malfunctions, and a run-in with the police. The title refers to their sheer exhaustion by the end of the night.

Style & Legacy

  • Classic Roach-style female buddy comedy, blending heart and slapstick
  • Features Billy Gilbert’s signature sneezing gag and vocal mimicry
  • Includes a Depression-era nod to economic desperation and working-class hustle
  • Noted for its dance hall setting, ensemble timing, and pre-Code boldness

Streaming Availability

Watch Asleep in the Feet (1933) on YouTube

At Sea Ashore (1936) — Patsey Kelly

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~20 minutes)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: William H. Terhune
  • Release Date: 1936
  • Genre: Immigration farce, musical comedy

Cast

  • Patsy Kelly as Patsy — a donut shop worker mistaken for an immigrant
  • Lyda Roberti as Lyda — the boss’s niece arriving from Europe
  • Al Shean as Adolph Rumplemeyer — bakery owner
  • Robert Emmett O’Connor as First Immigration Officer
  • Joe Twerp as Second Immigration Officer
  • The Avalon Four (including Chill Wills) as singing dockside quartet

Plot Summary

Patsy works at Rumplemeyer’s Donut Shop in Brooklyn. When her boss sends her to meet his niece Lyda at the immigration office, a series of mishaps ensue: Patsy forgets her purse, can’t pay the cabbie, and ends up mistaken for a foreign arrival. She sneaks into the holding area, hides in Lyda’s trunk, and tries to escape without a passport. Meanwhile, the cabbie fumes, the immigration officers grow suspicious, and The Avalon Four break into a swinging rendition of “Broadway Rhythm.” The chaos builds until Patsy’s identity is finally sorted out — barely.

Style & Legacy

  • Combines immigration satire, musical interludes, and Roach-style slapstick
  • Features Lyda Roberti’s high-energy charm and Patsy Kelly’s verbal wit
  • Includes a standout suitcase gag and a running donut machine joke
  • One of the final appearances of Lyda Roberti in a Hal Roach short

Streaming Availability

You can watch At Sea Ashore (1936) in full on Plex:

Watch At Sea Ashore (1936) on Plex – Not Available

It may also appear in Hal Roach collector sets or YouTube uploads under public domain compilations, though availability varies.

The Awful Goof (1939) — Charley Chase – Columbia Pictures

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~20 minutes)
  • Studio: Columbia Pictures
  • Director: Del Lord
  • Writer: John Grey
  • Release Date: December 22, 1939
  • Series: Charley Chase’s Columbia shorts (17th of 20 entries)

Cast

  • Charley Chase as Charley — the well-meaning but accident-prone groom-to-be
  • Dorothy Comingore (credited as Linda Winters) as Charley’s fiancée
  • Lucille Lund as Mrs. Joe Mark
  • Dick Curtis as Joe Mark — jealous boxer husband
  • Don Beddoe, Bud Jamison, and Robert Sterling in uncredited roles

Plot Summary

Charley is on his way to get married when a series of mishaps derail his plans. He borrows a car from a garage — one with no brakes — and ends up in a string of compromising situations with a woman whose dress keeps getting caught in his vehicle. Her jealous husband, a burly boxer, repeatedly catches them together and vows revenge. The short builds to a frantic chase and a wedding-day showdown, blending slapstick, mistaken identity, and classic Chase-style chaos.

Style & Legacy

  • Directed by Del Lord, known for his work with the Three Stooges
  • Includes a remake sequence from Chase’s silent classic Limousine Love (1928)
  • Features automobile gags, rear projection stunts, and wedding farce
  • One of Chase’s final Columbia shorts before his death in 1940

Streaming Availability

You can watch The Awful Goof (1939) in full on the Internet Archive:

Watch The Awful Goof (1939) on Internet Archive

It may also appear in collector-curated Columbia comedy compilations or on YouTube via public domain channels.

The Awful Tooth (1938) — Our Gang / Little Rascals

Overview

  • Type: One-reel comedy short (~10 minutes)
  • Series: Our Gang (167th entry overall)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Nate Watt
  • Writer: Jack Jevne
  • Release Date: May 28, 1938
  • Genre: Dental farce, childhood mischief

Cast

  • Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer as Alfalfa
  • Billie “Buckwheat” Thomas as Buckwheat
  • Eugene “Porky” Lee as Porky
  • Henry “Spike” Lee as Spike
  • Jack Norton as Dr. Schwartz — the eccentric dentist
  • Marjorie Townsend as Miss Rogers — the nurse
  • Pete the Pup and George the Monkey as themselves

Plot Summary

When Buckwheat receives a dime from the “Good Fairy” for losing a tooth, Alfalfa hatches a scheme: if they all have their teeth pulled, they’ll earn enough money to buy baseball gear. The gang visits Dr. Schwartz and asks him to extract every tooth they have. Horrified but amused, Schwartz and his nurse stage a terrifying dental setup — complete with mallets, hacksaws, and exaggerated threats — to scare the boys straight. Alfalfa panics and flees, and the dentist rewards their change of heart with baseball equipment.

Style & Legacy

  • A darkly comic take on childhood logic and fear of dentists
  • Features Jack Norton’s classic “drunken” delivery repurposed as a sadistic dentist
  • Noted for its pre-MGM tone, blending slapstick with moral lessons
  • The title parodies Leo McCarey’s 1937 screwball hit The Awful Truth
  • Marks one of the final Hal Roach–produced Our Gang shorts before MGM took full control

Streaming Availability

You can watch The Awful Tooth (1938) in full on YouTube:

Watch The Awful Tooth (1938) on YouTube

Internet Archive #81 0n the List