In St. Louis during the American Civil War, Aubrey Filmore (Red Skelton) is an incompetent clueless bellboy at the Palmer Hotel. The Union is searching for Confederate spy, the Grey Spider. Aubrey insists on being a spy catcher and thinks that a client dressed in grey is the spy.
Apparently, this is loosely based on Buster Keaton's The General (1926). Of course, I only remember the train and none of the story. I can't speak to the looseness of the adaptation because I just don't remember. I like Red Skelton's humor especially in the hotel. The big disappointment is the lack of a train. The other drawback is the use of the obvious stuntman for Red Skelton. He's definitely not Buster Keaton. I like Red, but he's a different comedian. At his best, he's a great talkie comedian. I'm not really taken with this girl-crazy character and his wacky journey despite being a fan of Red. Mainly, I'm not taken with her introduction as a Confederate fangirl. Somehow, that's a little off-putting.
Apparently, this is loosely based on Buster Keaton's The General (1926). Of course, I only remember the train and none of the story. I can't speak to the looseness of the adaptation because I just don't remember. I like Red Skelton's humor especially in the hotel. The big disappointment is the lack of a train. The other drawback is the use of the obvious stuntman for Red Skelton. He's definitely not Buster Keaton. I like Red, but he's a different comedian. At his best, he's a great talkie comedian. I'm not really taken with this girl-crazy character and his wacky journey despite being a fan of Red. Mainly, I'm not taken with her introduction as a Confederate fangirl. Somehow, that's a little off-putting.