Hal Roach Starting with “C”

Call a Cop! (1931) — The Boy Friends

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~19 minutes)
  • Series: The Boy Friends (8th entry)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: George Stevens
  • Writer: H.M. Walker
  • Release Date: September 12, 1931
  • Genre: Domestic farce, mistaken identity

Cast

  • Mickey Daniels as Mickey
  • Mary Kornman as Mary
  • Gertrude Messinger as Gertie
  • David Sharpe as Dave
  • Grady Sutton as Alabam
  • Harry Bernard as Captain Daniels
  • Eddie Baker, Baldwin Cooke, and Sam Lufkin as assorted police officers and detectives

Plot Summary

When Mary and Gertie hear suspicious noises in their house, they fear a burglar is on the loose. The boyfriends — Mickey, Dave, and Alabam — rush to the rescue, but their efforts only add to the confusion. Mickey’s over-the-top reactions and pratfalls escalate the chaos, while Dave tries to play hero and Alabam adds his Southern drawl to the mix. The police arrive just in time to sort out the mess, but not before a series of slapstick misunderstandings and romantic misfires unfold.

Style & Legacy

  • A classic “false alarm” farce, blending romantic comedy with slapstick
  • Features early sound-era pacing and ensemble chemistry from Roach’s post-Our Gang teen cast
  • Directed by George Stevens, who would later helm major Hollywood features
  • Noted for its tiny American Austin coupe, which drives down the sidewalk in an early gag
  • Part of Hal Roach’s effort to transition child stars like Mickey Daniels and Mary Kornman into teen comedy leads

Streaming Availability

You can watch Call a Cop! (1931) in full on the Internet Archive #4 on the List

Watch Call a Cop! (1931) – Youtube – Full Short Film

It may also appear in Hal Roach or Boy Friends DVD compilations and collector sets.

Call Her Sausage (1933) — Taxi Boys

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~20 minutes)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Gus Meins
  • Release Date: May 13, 1933
  • Genre: Delicatessen farce, slapstick wordplay
  • Series: Loosely connected to the Taxi Boys comedies, though not involving taxis

Cast

  • Ben Blue as Benny — the accident-prone clerk
  • Billy Gilbert as Heinie Schmaltz — the deli owner
  • Billy Bletcher as Meyer (uncredited)
  • Lucille Browne as Matilda Schmaltz (uncredited)
  • Gus Leonard as Otto, a musician (uncredited)

Plot Summary

Billy Gilbert opens a new delicatessen and hires his bumbling friend Ben Blue as clerk — against his better judgment. Ben immediately causes chaos: he floods the sidewalk with a canopy full of water, stacks cans that collapse spectacularly, and opens an alarm clock instead of a tin of food. A mouse in the store prompts a slapstick chase involving oversized traps and cheese. Meanwhile, Billy tries to paint a sign reading “French Pastry” but gets tangled in a “Y” vs. “Why?” misunderstanding with Meyer. Ben then pastes a promotional poster on the window that mistakenly advertises everything as “free,” drawing a mob of customers. The film ends with a disastrous music rehearsal and a chaotic grand opening.

Style & Legacy

  • A showcase for Billy Gilbert’s “Schmaltz” character, a middle-European deli owner he portrayed in several Roach shorts
  • Features Ben Blue’s surreal physical comedy, including exaggerated pratfalls and object confusion
  • Includes a vaudeville-style wordplay routine, reminiscent of Abbott and Costello’s “Who’s on First?”
  • The title is a parody of the Clara Bow film Call Her Savage (1932)
  • Noted for its pre-Code absurdity, visual slapstick, and Roach ensemble timing

Streaming Availability

You can watch Call Her Sausage (1933) in full on the Internet Archive:

Watch on Internet Archive It may also appear in Hal Roach comedy compilations or rare DVD sets featuring Ben Blue and Billy Gilbert.

Calling All Doctors (1937) — Charley Chase – Columbia Pictures

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~20 minutes)
  • Studio: Columbia Pictures
  • Director: Charles Lamont
  • Writers: Al Giebler, Elwood Ullman, Charlie Melson
  • Release Date: December 22, 1937
  • Genre: Hypochondria farce, mistaken identity

Cast

  • Charley Chase as Charley — a chronic hypochondriac
  • Lucille Lund as Mabel Chase (his wife)
  • John T. Murray as Mr. Cronkite
  • Bobby Watson, Beatrice Curtis, James C. Morton, Vernon Dent, Lon Poff, and Cy Schindell in supporting and uncredited roles

Plot Summary

Charley Chase plays a neurotic hypochondriac who’s convinced he’s dying of every disease imaginable. His wife and coworkers, fed up with his constant complaints, devise a prank to convince him he really is sick — hoping to shock him into sanity. But the plan backfires when Charley meets a sanitarium escapee posing as a doctor, leading to a cascade of confusion, fake diagnoses, and slapstick chaos. The short builds to a frantic climax as Charley tries to navigate a world where everyone seems to be either a doctor or a lunatic.

Style & Legacy

  • One of Charley Chase’s Columbia Pictures shorts, following his departure from Hal Roach Studios
  • Directed by Charles Lamont, who later helmed many Abbott & Costello features
  • Features classic Chase timing, verbal misfires, and identity mix-ups
  • Noted for its pre-Code-style absurdity, though released post-Code
  • Often cited as a solid but not standout entry in Chase’s Columbia era, with broad gags and manic pacing

Streaming Availability

You can watch Calling All Doctors (1937) in full on these platforms:

It may also appear in Columbia comedy compilations or Charley Chase DVD collections.

Came the Brawn (1938) — Our Gang / Little Rascals

Overview

  • Type: One-reel comedy short (~11 minutes)
  • Series: Our Gang (165th overall entry, 78th talking episode)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Gordon Douglas
  • Writer: Jack Jevne
  • Release Date: April 16, 1938
  • Genre: Wrestling farce, romantic rivalry

Cast

  • Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer as Alfalfa
  • Tommy Bond as Butch
  • George “Spanky” McFarland as Spanky
  • Darwood Kaye as Waldo
  • Darla Hood as Darla
  • Sidney Kibrick as Woim
  • Eugene “Porky” Lee as Porky
  • Billie “Buckwheat” Thomas as Buckwheat
  • Supporting extras include Harold Switzer, Henry Lee, Billy Minderhout, and others

Plot Summary

Alfalfa wants to impress Darla by winning a wrestling match. Spanky and the gang organize a bout between Alfalfa and Waldo, who’s dubbed “The Masked Marvel.” Butch, jealous and scheming, knocks out Waldo and takes his place in disguise. Alfalfa, unaware of the switch, enters the ring and is quickly overwhelmed. The gang realizes the deception and tries to help Alfalfa survive the match. Chaos ensues as the kids scramble to protect their friend and expose Butch’s trickery.

Style & Legacy

  • A classic Our Gang sports spoof, blending romantic rivalry with slapstick wrestling
  • Features the trio of Alfalfa, Butch, and Waldo competing for Darla’s attention — a dynamic that would continue into later MGM entries
  • Noted for its costume gags, ring-side chaos, and Alfalfa’s exaggerated bravado
  • Marks the final Hal Roach appearance for Spanky, Butch, Woim, and Waldo before the series transitioned fully to MGM
  • Directed by Gordon Douglas, who helmed many of the later Roach-era Our Gang shorts

Streaming Availability

You can watch Came the Brawn (1938) in full on Youtube

You can watch Came the Brawn (1938) in full on Internet Archive #71 on the List

It may also appear in Little Rascals DVD collections or Hal Roach retrospectives.

Canned Fishing (1938) — Our Gang / Little Rascals

Overview

  • Type: One-reel comedy short (~10 minutes)
  • Series: Our Gang (162nd entry)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Gordon Douglas
  • Writer: Jack Jevne
  • Release Date: February 12, 1938
  • Genre: Hooky farce, domestic slapstick

Cast

  • George “Spanky” McFarland as Spanky
  • Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer as Alfalfa
  • Billie “Buckwheat” Thomas as Buckwheat
  • Eugene “Porky” Lee as Porky
  • Gary Jasgur as Junior (Spanky’s baby brother)
  • Wilma Cox as Spanky’s mother

Plot Summary

Spanky and Alfalfa hatch a scheme to skip school and go fishing. Alfalfa spends the night at Spanky’s house, and in the morning, Spanky places a block of ice on Alfalfa’s chest to fake a cold. Their mothers are initially fooled, but Buckwheat and Porky show up with fishing poles and blow the cover. As punishment, Spanky’s mother leaves the boys in charge of baby Junior. Chaos ensues: Junior crawls into the incinerator, Buckwheat gets stuck in the washing machine, and Spanky and Alfalfa end up locked inside a steam cabinet. When Spanky’s mother returns, the gang flees to school, realizing that hooky isn’t worth the trouble.

Style & Legacy

  • A classic “hooky gone wrong” plot, echoing earlier shorts like Little Papa
  • Features early domestic slapstick, including steam cabinet and washing machine gags
  • Noted for its tight pacing, ensemble chemistry, and Junior’s mischievous antics
  • Filmed at a real house in Culver City, California — still standing at 9634 Farragut Drive
  • Marks one of the last appearances of Eugene Lee (Porky) before the series transitioned to MGM’s new cast

Streaming Availability

You can watch Canned Fishing (1938) in full on Internet Archive #83 on the List

Watch on Youtube

It may also appear in Little Rascals DVD collections or Hal Roach retrospectives.

The Caretaker’s Daughter (1934) — Hal Roach Studios

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~20 minutes)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Lloyd French
  • Release Date: March 10, 1934
  • Genre: Domestic farce, mistaken identity

Cast

  • Claudia Dell as the caretaker’s daughter
  • Grace Hayle as Mrs. Rockliffe
  • Douglas Wakefield as Waffles the butler
  • Billy Gilbert as Mr. Gilbert
  • Don Barclay as Donald Rockliffe
  • Jack Barty as Colonel Rockliffe
  • Eddie Foy Jr. as Eddie, the juggling son

Plot Summary

Mrs. Rockliffe is preparing for an ocean voyage, but her husband, Colonel Rockliffe, impatiently destroys one of her hats and leaves their son Donald in charge of the house. Donald, however, plans his own vacation and hands the keys to Waffles the butler. Waffles contacts Mr. Gilbert, a bumbling man with two eccentric grown children — Eddie, who juggles everything in sight, and Claudia, who dreams of high society. The Gilberts move into the Rockliffe mansion temporarily, pretending to be the real owners. Claudia strikes up a romantic connection with Donald when he returns unexpectedly, while Eddie causes chaos with his juggling and Mr. Gilbert battles gym equipment and a rogue vacuum cleaner. The short ends with a series of slapstick mishaps, including a rowing machine accident that sends Mr. Gilbert flying out a window.

Style & Legacy

  • A classic Hal Roach ensemble farce, blending physical comedy with mistaken identity
  • Features Billy Gilbert’s signature slow-burn reactions and Eddie Foy Jr.’s vaudeville juggling
  • Directed by Lloyd French, known for his work with Laurel & Hardy
  • Noted for its domestic slapstick, eccentric character interplay, and pre-Code absurdity
  • Part of Roach’s effort to build new comedy ensembles beyond Laurel & Hardy and Thelma Todd series

Streaming Availability

You can watch The Caretaker’s Daughter (1934) in full on the Internet Archive – Not Available

It may also appear in Hal Roach comedy compilations or rare DVD sets featuring Billy Gilbert and Eddie Foy Jr.

Catch-As-Catch-Can (1931) — ZaSu Pitts & Thelma Todd

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~20 minutes)
  • Series: Pitts and Todd Comedies
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Marshall Neilan
  • Writer: H.M. Walker
  • Release Date: 1931
  • Genre: Wrestling farce, romantic mix-up

Cast

  • ZaSu Pitts as ZaSu — the shy, homesick switchboard operator
  • Thelma Todd as Thelma — her brassy roommate
  • Guinn “Big Boy” Williams as Strangler Sullivan — the wrestler
  • Reed Howes as Harry — Strangler’s manager and Thelma’s boyfriend
  • Billy Gilbert as the ring announcer (uncredited)
  • Supporting cast includes Frank Alexander, Buster Brodie, Sammy Brooks, and Gordon Douglas in bit roles

Plot Summary

Roommates ZaSu and Thelma work as switchboard operators at the Empire Hotel. Thelma is dating Harry, a wrestling manager whose star client — Strangler Sullivan — is homesick and wants to quit before a big match. When Strangler calls home, he chats with ZaSu and they bond over their shared Midwestern roots. Harry realizes ZaSu might be the key to keeping his wrestler in town. The girls attend the match, where ZaSu’s presence inspires Strangler to fight — and win. The short ends with a romantic twist and a ringside gag involving mistaken identity and a wig mix-up.

Style & Legacy

  • A classic Pitts and Todd comedy, pairing Thelma’s boldness with ZaSu’s deadpan innocence
  • Features pre-Code physical comedy, including wardrobe malfunctions and exaggerated wrestling antics
  • Noted for its vaudeville pacing, celebrity parody, and female-led slapstick
  • Part of Hal Roach’s effort to build a female counterpart to Laurel & Hardy
  • Directed by Marshall Neilan, known for blending romantic comedy with farce

Streaming Availability

Watch on YouTube – The Sprocket Vault

It may also appear in Hal Roach retrospectives or Pitts–Todd DVD collections.

The Chases of Pimple Street (1934) — Charley Chase

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel domestic farce (~20 minutes)
  • Series: Charley Chase Comedies
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Charley Chase (credited as Charles Parrott)
  • Release Date: December 22, 1934
  • Genre: Marital comedy, mistaken identity, slapstick

Cast

  • Charley Chase as Charley — the beleaguered husband
  • Betty Mack as Betty — Charley’s loving but exasperated wife
  • Ruthelma Stevens as Celeste — Betty’s high-maintenance sister
  • Supporting cast includes:
    • Wilfred Lucas as Mr. Lucas, Charley’s boss
    • Gertrude Astor, Harry Bernard, May Wallace, Eddie Baker, and Arthur Housman in uncredited roles

Plot Summary

Charley Chase lives in a stylish Art Deco home with his wife Betty and her sister Celeste, whose pampered dog and diva behavior disrupt the household. Charley’s morning routine is derailed when Celeste monopolizes the bathroom to bathe her dog — using Charley’s expensive Napoleon brandy as shampoo. Forced to wash up on the back porch, Charley ends up wearing two pairs of pants and arrives late to work, infuriating his boss.

To get back in his boss’s good graces, Charley agrees to bring a “date” to a company party — but a mix-up leads the boss to believe Celeste is Charley’s wife. Charley must juggle identities, relationships, and wardrobe disasters to keep the ruse going. The short builds to a chaotic party scene with mistaken partners, slapstick gags, and a final twist involving Charley’s double.

Style & Legacy

  • A showcase for Charley Chase’s blend of verbal wit and physical comedy, with silent-era timing adapted to sound
  • Features pre-Code domestic absurdity, including man-bites-dog gags and marital deception
  • Noted for its Art Deco set design, ensemble pacing, and Chase’s directorial flair
  • Part of Hal Roach’s push to elevate Chase as a solo comedy star post-Laurel & Hardy
  • Includes a musical duet: “You’ve Got to Give Credit to Love,” sung by Charley and Betty

Streaming Availability

Watch on YouTube – The Sprocket Vault

It may also appear in Hal Roach retrospectives or Charley Chase DVD collections.

Chickens Come Home (1931) — Laurel & Hardy

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~30 minutes)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: James W. Horne
  • Writers: H.M. Walker (titles), Stan Laurel (story)
  • Release Date: February 21, 1931
  • Genre: Blackmail farce, domestic slapstick

Cast

  • Oliver Hardy as Ollie — a successful businessman running for mayor
  • Stan Laurel as Stan — his bumbling assistant
  • Mae Busch as Ollie’s former flame turned blackmailer
  • Thelma Todd as Mrs. Hardy
  • Supporting cast includes Harry Bernard, Charlie Hall, and Lucien Littlefield

Plot Summary

Ollie is a respected businessman and mayoral candidate whose past comes back to haunt him when Mae Busch, a former flame, shows up with a compromising photo. She threatens to expose him unless he pays up. Ollie enlists Stan to keep Mae away while he hosts a dinner party for political backers — but Stan’s efforts only make things worse. Mae crashes the party, and Ollie scrambles to hide her from his wife (Thelma Todd) and guests. The short builds to a chaotic finale involving mistaken identities, door-slamming farce, and Ollie’s public humiliation.

Style & Legacy

  • A classic Laurel and Hardy domestic farce, blending political ambition with slapstick disaster
  • Features Mae Busch’s recurring femme fatale role, often used to disrupt Ollie’s home life
  • Noted for its tight pacing, ensemble timing, and pre-Code innuendo
  • A Spanish-language version titled Politiquerías was also produced, running longer and featuring additional scenes
  • Frequently cited as one of their best early sound shorts, showcasing their transition from silent to talkie formats

Streaming Availability

You can watch Chickens Come Home (1931) in full on Youtube:

You can watch Chickens Come Home (1931) in full on Internet Archive #14 on the List

It may also appear in Laurel & Hardy: The Essential Collection or Hal Roach DVD sets.

The Chimp (1932) — Laurel & Hardy

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~25 minutes)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: James Parrott
  • Writers: H.M. Walker, James Parrott
  • Release Date: May 21, 1932
  • Genre: Circus farce, domestic slapstick

Cast

  • Stan Laurel as Stan
  • Oliver Hardy as Ollie
  • James Finlayson as the Ringmaster
  • Billy Gilbert as Joe, the landlord
  • Charles Gemora as Ethel the gorilla (in costume)
  • Dorothy Granger as Ethel, the landlord’s wife
  • Supporting cast includes Dorothy Layton, Belle Hare, George Miller, and Baldwin Cooke

Plot Summary

Stan and Ollie are circus workers who get fired after accidentally destroying the Big Top during a cannonball stunt. As severance, Stan receives a flea circus and Ollie is given a gorilla named Ethel. They try to sneak Ethel into a boarding house run by a strict landlord whose wife is also named Ethel — leading to a cascade of misunderstandings. Meanwhile, a lion named MGM escapes from the circus, adding to the chaos. The duo’s attempts to hide the gorilla, deal with the flea circus, and avoid the landlord spiral into slapstick mayhem, culminating in a scene where the gorilla grabs a pistol and causes a panic.

Style & Legacy

  • A reworking of earlier Laurel & Hardy shorts Angora Love (1929) and Laughing Gravy (1931), with added circus elements
  • Features Charles Gemora’s gorilla suit performance, a staple in 1930s comedy
  • Noted for its name confusion gag (“Ethel” the gorilla vs. Ethel the wife) and flea circus slapstick
  • A fan favorite for its blend of absurdity, tight pacing, and classic duo chemistry
  • Frequently included in Laurel & Hardy retrospectives and “best of” compilations

Streaming Availability

You can watch The Chimp (1932) in full on YouTube:

Watch on Internet Archive #49 on the List – Full Short Film

It may also appear in Laurel & Hardy: The Essential Collection or Hal Roach DVD sets.

Choo-Choo! (1932) — Our Gang / Little Rascals

Overview

  • Type: One-reel comedy short (~20 minutes)
  • Series: Our Gang (114th entry overall)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Robert F. McGowan
  • Writers: Hal Roach, H.M. Walker
  • Release Date: March 7, 1932
  • Genre: Train adventure, mistaken identity
  • Remake of: A Pleasant Journey (1923 silent Our Gang short)

Cast

  • George “Spanky” McFarland as Spanky (age 3, early appearance)
  • Matthew “Stymie” Beard as Stymie
  • Kendall McComas as Breezy Brisbane
  • Dorothy DeBorba as Dorothy
  • Sherwood Bailey as Spud
  • Bobby “Wheezer” Hutchins as Wheezer
  • Harold Wertz as Bouncy
  • Pete the Pup as Himself
  • Dell Henderson as Mr. Henderson (Travelers Aid agent)
  • Cameos: Wally Albright, Donald Haines, Georgie Billings, Bobby Mallon, and others as runaway orphans
  • Oliver Hardy (voice cameo) as a drunken salesman yelling as a bear licks his face

Plot Summary

The gang swaps clothes with a group of runaway orphans and boards a train bound for Chicago. Mr. Henderson, a Travelers Aid agent, is tasked with supervising them — unaware they’re not the intended children. Spanky causes havoc by punching adults in the nose, Stymie accidentally releases a monkey, and the monkey unleashes a menagerie of circus animals and fireworks from the baggage car. The train arrives in Chicago in chaos, only for Mr. Henderson to receive a telegram revealing he has the wrong kids and must return them to California.

Style & Legacy

  • A transition-era Our Gang short, blending silent-style slapstick with early sound pacing
  • Features Spanky’s breakout performance, despite being only three years old
  • Noted for its train setting, animal gags, and ensemble chaos
  • Includes early location footage at La Grande Station in Los Angeles
  • A fan favorite for its frenetic energy, animal mayhem, and Spanky’s nose-punching gag

Streaming Availability

You can watch Choo-Choo! (1932) in full on Internet Archive #28 on the List

Watch on YouTube – Full Short Film – Classic, Spanky only 3 years old It may also appear in Little Rascals DVD collections or Hal Roach retrospectives.

The Chump Takes a Bump (1939) — Charley Chase – Columbia Pictures

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~18 minutes)
  • Studio: Columbia Pictures
  • Director: Del Lord
  • Writer: Churchill Ross
  • Release Date: May 5, 1939
  • Genre: Marital farce, mistaken identity, nightclub slapstick
  • Series: Charley Chase Columbia shorts (13th of 20)

Cast

  • Charley Chase as Charley — the loyal but unlucky husband
  • Ann Doran as Minnie Chase — Charley’s wife
  • Ruth Skinner as Betty Lou — the boss’s girlfriend
  • Del Henderson as Elias J. Smart — Charley’s boss
  • Harry C. Bradley as Mr. Davidson
  • Supporting cast includes Beatrice Blinn, Stanley Brown, George Ovey, Cy Schindell, and Robert Sterling in uncredited roles

Plot Summary

Charley Chase is a devoted husband whose boss ropes him into a scheme: pretend to be dating the boss’s girlfriend to avoid scandal. Charley reluctantly agrees, but when his wife Minnie hears he’s out partying, she storms the nightclub — freshly made over and unrecognizable to Charley. Mistaking her for someone else, Charley flirts with his own wife, leading to a cascade of misunderstandings. The short builds to a chaotic climax involving jealous patrons, mistaken identities, and a slapstick brawl.

Style & Legacy

  • A reworking of Chase’s silent classic Mighty Like a Moose (1926), but with a twist: only the wife gets a makeover
  • Directed by Del Lord, known for his work with The Three Stooges
  • Features Columbia’s fast-paced slapstick, nightclub setting, and Chase’s verbal timing
  • Noted for its preposterous premise — Charley not recognizing his own wife due to a hairstyle change — which critics found less believable than earlier versions
  • One of Chase’s final screen appearances before his death in 1940

Streaming Availability

You can watch The Chump Takes a Bump (1939) in full on the Internet Archive:

Watch on Internet Archive It may also appear in Columbia comedy compilations or Charley Chase DVD retrospectives.

Clown Princes (1939) — Our Gang / Little Rascals

Overview

  • Type: One-reel comedy short (~10 minutes)
  • Series: Our Gang (178th entry overall)
  • Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: George Sidney
  • Writers: Hal Law, Robert A. McGowan
  • Release Date: April 15, 1939
  • Genre: Backyard circus farce, ensemble slapstick

Cast

  • Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer as Alfalfa — trapeze daredevil
  • George “Spanky” McFarland as Spanky — circus ringleader
  • Eugene “Porky” Lee as Porky — the boy in need
  • Darla Hood as Darla — snake charmer and lion tamer
  • Billie “Buckwheat” Thomas as Buckwheat — “Wildman from Borneo”
  • Shirley Coates as Muggsy
  • Leonard Landy as Leonard — acrobat
  • Clarence Wilson as the cranky landlord
  • Supporting cast includes Gary Jasgur, Joe Geil, and others as circus extras

Plot Summary

When Porky’s family faces eviction, the gang rallies to raise rent money by staging a circus in his barn. Spanky acts as the barker, introducing acts like Buckwheat as a jungle wildman, Darla as a snake charmer, and Leonard as an acrobat. Alfalfa’s big moment comes as “The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze,” suspended by a pulley system tied to a horse. But when a bee spooks the horse, Alfalfa is flung through the air and crashes through the barn roof. The chaos climaxes when Spanky pays the landlord with the circus proceeds, saving Porky’s home.

Style & Legacy

  • A classic MGM-era Our Gang short, emphasizing teamwork and child-led problem-solving
  • Features Alfalfa’s operatic parody, a recurring gag in the series
  • Noted for its elaborate circus setup, costume gags, and ensemble chemistry
  • Directed by George Sidney, who later helmed major musicals like Anchors Aweigh
  • Reflects Depression-era themes of community resilience and creative fundraising

Streaming Availability

You can watch Clown Princes (1939) in full on YouTube:

Watch on YouTube – Must Buy to Watch It may also appear in Little Rascals DVD collections or MGM comedy compilations.

Come Clean (1931) — Laurel & Hardy

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~20 minutes)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: James W. Horne
  • Writers: H.M. Walker, Stan Laurel (uncredited)
  • Release Date: September 19, 1931
  • Genre: Domestic farce, blackmail comedy
  • Language: English
  • Notable Fact: Linda Loredo’s only English-language appearance with Laurel & Hardy; she passed away a month before the film’s release

Cast

  • Stan Laurel as Stan
  • Oliver Hardy as Ollie
  • Mae Busch as Kate — the blackmailing woman
  • Gertrude Astor as Mrs. Hardy
  • Linda Loredo as Mrs. Laurel
  • Charlie Hall as Ice Cream Vendor
  • Tiny Sandford as Doorman
  • Eddie Baker and Gordon Douglas in uncredited roles

Plot Summary

Stan and Ollie are enjoying a quiet evening at home with their wives when they’re sent out to buy ice cream. On the way, they intervene to stop a woman from jumping off a bridge — only to discover she’s a wanted criminal named Kate. She refuses to leave them alone, threatening to expose them unless they help her hide. The duo scrambles to conceal her presence from their wives, leading to a series of slapstick disasters. Eventually, the police arrive and arrest Kate, revealing a reward for her capture. Stan suggests using the money to buy ice cream — prompting Ollie to dump a bucket of water on him.

Style & Legacy

  • A classic Laurel & Hardy domestic comedy, blending marital tension with absurd escalation
  • Features Mae Busch’s recurring “dangerous woman” role, echoing her parts in Love ’Em and Weep and Chickens Come Home
  • Includes pre-Code themes like suicide, blackmail, and marital deception — rare for early sound shorts
  • The opening scene revisits a gag from their silent film Should Married Men Go Home?
  • Inspired later Roach productions like Brooklyn Orchid (1942)

Streaming Availability

You can watch Come Clean (1931) in full on Internet Archive #15 on the List

Watch on YouTube It may also appear in Laurel & Hardy: The Essential Collection or Hal Roach DVD sets.

The Count Takes the Count (1936) — Charley Chase – Columbia Pictures

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~17 minutes)
  • Studio: Columbia Pictures
  • Directors: Charley Chase (credited as Charles Parrott), Harold Law
  • Writer: Churchill Ross
  • Release Date: February 22, 1936
  • Genre: Romantic farce, insurance scam, mistaken identity

Cast

  • Charley Chase as Charley — the insurance agent caught in a scheme
  • Andrea Leeds (credited as Antoinette Lees) as Gloria Grayson — runaway heiress
  • Kewpie Morgan as Henry — the sheriff
  • Ben Taggart as Boyd — Charley’s boss
  • Supporting cast includes:
    • Harry Bowen as service station attendant
    • Polly Chase (Charley’s real-life daughter) as waitress
    • Baldwin Cooke, Edgar Dearing, Charlie Hall, and Harry Holman in uncredited roles

Plot Summary

Charley Chase, an insurance agent, sells a million-dollar policy to a European count who’s engaged to wealthy heiress Gloria Grayson. When Gloria runs away to avoid the marriage, Charley is tasked with tracking her down to prevent the policy from defaulting. Gloria disguises herself and tricks Charley into believing she’s a detective chasing herself. The chase leads through diners, gas stations, and roadside hijinks, with Charley handcuffed to a suitcase and mistaken for a criminal. The short ends with a chaotic wedding scene and a twist that flips the romantic tables.

Style & Legacy

  • A classic Columbia-era Charley Chase farce, blending verbal wit with physical comedy
  • Features Chase’s dual role as actor and director, using his real name Charles Parrott
  • Noted for its insurance plot absurdity, handcuff gags, and roadside slapstick
  • Includes a rare appearance by Andrea Leeds, who would later earn an Oscar nomination for Stage Door (1937)
  • Often cited as a mid-tier Chase short, with inventive setups but a surreal ending

Streaming Availability

You can watch The Count Takes the Count (1936) in full on YouTube:

Watch on YouTube – The Sprocket Vault

It may also appear in Charley Chase Columbia collections or vintage comedy DVD sets.

County Hospital (1932) — Hal Roach Studios

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~20 minutes)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: James Parrott
  • Writers: H.M. Walker (titles), Stan Laurel (story)
  • Release Date: June 25, 1932
  • Genre: Hospital farce, slapstick chaos

Cast

  • Stan Laurel as Stan — the well-meaning but clueless friend
  • Oliver Hardy as Ollie — the hospitalized patient
  • Billy Gilbert as Dr. Horace Meddick — the exasperated physician
  • Estelle Ettere as Nurse
  • May Wallace as Matron
  • Harry Bernard as Policeman
  • Baldwin Cooke as Ambulance Driver

Plot Summary

Ollie is recovering from a broken leg at County Hospital when Stan arrives to cheer him up — bringing hard-boiled eggs and nuts instead of flowers. Stan’s visit quickly turns disastrous: he spills food, disrupts the ward, and accidentally doses Ollie with a powerful sedative. When Ollie insists on leaving with Stan, the two attempt a chaotic exit involving a wheelchair, a runaway ambulance, and a crash that lands them both back in the hospital. Billy Gilbert plays the increasingly frustrated doctor trying to maintain order amid the madness.

Style & Legacy

  • A quintessential Laurel & Hardy “visit gone wrong” short, echoing themes from Leave ‘Em Laughing and Me and My Pal
  • Features Billy Gilbert’s signature slow-burn reactions, adding tension to Stan’s obliviousness
  • Noted for its tight pacing, hospital slapstick, and ambulance finale
  • Frequently cited as one of their best early sound shorts, showcasing their chemistry and escalation formula
  • Included in many Laurel & Hardy retrospectives and “essential” collections

Streaming Availability

You can watch County Hospital (1932) in full on the Internet Archive:

Watch on Internet Archive

It’s also available in Laurel & Hardy: The Essential Collection and Hal Roach DVD sets.

The Cracked Ice Man (1934) — Charley Chase

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~19 minutes)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Directors: Charley Chase (credited as Charles Parrott), Eddie Dunn
  • Release Date: 1934
  • Genre: School farce, romantic slapstick

Cast

  • Charley Chase as Charley — the flustered psychology teacher
  • Betty Mack (aka Netty Mack) as Betty — Charley’s love interest
  • Billy Gilbert as Prof. Wm. Gilbert — the flamboyant school dean
  • Harry Bowen as the ice man
  • George “Spanky” McFarland as a precocious student
  • Cameos include Matthew “Stymie” Beard, Tommy Bond, Gordon Douglas, and Florence Roberts

Plot Summary

Charley Chase accepts a job teaching psychology at a boys’ school, only to discover he’s been reassigned to a kindergarten class. His first day spirals into chaos: he battles with an eccentric ice man, rescues a canary, and tries to impress Betty, the school secretary. Meanwhile, the children — including Spanky — deliver wisecracks and cause mayhem. Billy Gilbert plays the overly theatrical dean, whose dramatic flourishes only add to the confusion. The short ends with a musical duet between Charley and Betty, and a final gag involving a runaway ice cart.

Style & Legacy

  • A classic Charley Chase ensemble farce, blending romantic comedy with schoolroom slapstick
  • Noted for its early crossover with Our Gang, featuring Spanky and Stymie in supporting roles
  • Features Billy Gilbert’s signature vocal explosions and Chase’s musical charm
  • Directed in part by Chase himself, showcasing his dual talents as performer and filmmaker
  • Often cited as a loose remake of earlier Chase shorts with educational settings

Streaming Availability

You can watch The Cracked Ice Man (1934) in full on YouTube:

It may also appear in Hal Roach comedy compilations or Charley Chase DVD collections.

Crazy Feet (1929) — Charley Chase

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~20 minutes)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Warren Doane
  • Writers: H.M. Walker, Leo McCarey
  • Release Date: September 7, 1929
  • Genre: Dance farce, romantic slapstick
  • Language: Early sound (talkie)

Cast

  • Charley Chase as Charley — the accidental dance partner
  • Thelma Todd as Thelma — the glamorous dancer
  • Eddie Dunn as Eddie — Thelma’s aggressive boyfriend
  • Edgar Kennedy as Policeman
  • Supporting cast includes:
    • Harry Bowen as stagehand
    • Charlie Hall, Clara Guiol, Betty Danko, and Fred Warren in uncredited roles

Plot Summary

Charley Chase stumbles into a lovers’ quarrel between Eddie and Thelma in a cramped car. When he tries to intervene, Eddie punches him repeatedly. Charley flees and hides in a theater where Thelma is rehearsing for a dance act. After Eddie is fired, Thelma recruits Charley as her new partner. Charley, who has no dance experience, fakes his way through rehearsals and ends up performing in front of a live audience — with disastrous and hilarious results. The short climaxes with Charley flying across the stage on wires and causing chaos in the theater.

Style & Legacy

  • A classic Charley Chase farce, blending romantic misadventure with physical comedy
  • Features Thelma Todd’s early comedic chemistry, elevating Chase’s performance
  • Noted for its pre-Code innuendo, stage slapstick, and wire stunt finale
  • One of Chase’s early sound shorts, showcasing his transition from silent to talkie formats
  • Often praised for its tight pacing and vaudeville-style gags

Streaming Availability

You can watch Crazy Feet (1929) in full on Internet Archive #11 on the List

Watch on YouTube – The Sprocket Vault

It may also appear in Hal Roach Talkies Volume Four or Charley Chase DVD collections.

Crook’s Tour (1933) — Hal Roach Studios

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~19 minutes)
  • Series: Hal Roach All-Star Comedies
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Robert F. McGowan
  • Release Date: September 23, 1933
  • Genre: Crime spoof, domestic farce

Cast

  • Douglas Wakefield as The Duke of Wakefield — a bumbling aristocrat
  • Billy Nelson as Billy — his sidekick
  • Gertrude Astor as Mrs. Dorigan — the scheming matron
  • Nina Quartero as the unfaithful wife
  • Alberta Vaughn as Molly Dorigan — the daughter
  • Baby Alice Raetz as Lilly Dorigan — the youngest child
  • Richard Cramer as Stephen Dorigan — the patriarch
  • Jack Barty as the bartender
  • Jack Hill (uncredited) as wedding guest

Plot Summary

The Duke of Wakefield and his assistant Billy arrive at the Dorigan estate, where a tangled web of romantic and criminal mischief unfolds. Mrs. Dorigan is plotting to marry off her daughter Molly to a wealthy suitor, while her own infidelity threatens to unravel the plan. Meanwhile, the Duke — oblivious to the schemes around him — stumbles into compromising situations, mistaken identities, and a chaotic wedding ceremony. Baby Alice adds to the confusion with precocious interruptions, and Richard Cramer’s stern patriarch tries to hold the family together. The short ends with a slapstick chase and a twist that flips the crooks’ plans upside down.

Style & Legacy

  • A classic Hal Roach ensemble farce, blending British aristocracy parody with domestic slapstick
  • Features Douglas Wakefield, a popular British music hall comedian, in one of his few American screen appearances
  • Noted for its fast pacing, romantic entanglements, and pre-Code innuendo
  • Directed by Robert F. McGowan, best known for his work on Our Gang
  • A surviving print is held by the UCLA Film & Television Archive

Streaming Availability

It is not currently available on YouTube or Internet Archive, but may appear in Hal Roach All-Star DVD collections or BFI retrospectives.