An enjoyable trifle, this is a fast-paced comedy in which Red Skelton is a radio performer pursued by the police as the suspect in a series of murders. His chauffeur is Rags Ragland, and they're accompanied by Red's fiancée, Ann Rutherford, and an inquiring report, Jean Rogers.
What it lacks in sophistication it makes up for in energy. Three scenes in particular stand out. In one, the four hang from the top of an empty elevator shaft -- each by the other's heels -- and swing back and forth to reach an empty door. It's fairly tense for a comedy and the producers must have used professional acrobats.
In another, Skelton poses as the pitcher for a bearded baseball team who happen to be playing the Brooklyn Dodgers. In 1943, the Dodgers seemed ordained by the God of baseball never to win a series and were a national joke, referred to as "dem Bums." That was before they moved to Los Angeles and began wearing sandals, Hawaiian shirts, and shades on the playing field. Many, or maybe most, attempts at humor on the sports field flop as anticlimactic, but this one is kind of amusing. Leo Durocher and the rest of the team make an appearance.
The last outstanding scene involves a farcical fight aboard a deserted ship and makes good use of nautical props.
Zippy stuff. Better than some of Skelton's other movies, especially his later ones.
What it lacks in sophistication it makes up for in energy. Three scenes in particular stand out. In one, the four hang from the top of an empty elevator shaft -- each by the other's heels -- and swing back and forth to reach an empty door. It's fairly tense for a comedy and the producers must have used professional acrobats.
In another, Skelton poses as the pitcher for a bearded baseball team who happen to be playing the Brooklyn Dodgers. In 1943, the Dodgers seemed ordained by the God of baseball never to win a series and were a national joke, referred to as "dem Bums." That was before they moved to Los Angeles and began wearing sandals, Hawaiian shirts, and shades on the playing field. Many, or maybe most, attempts at humor on the sports field flop as anticlimactic, but this one is kind of amusing. Leo Durocher and the rest of the team make an appearance.
The last outstanding scene involves a farcical fight aboard a deserted ship and makes good use of nautical props.
Zippy stuff. Better than some of Skelton's other movies, especially his later ones.