I completely expected to hate this film. After all, Fatty Arbuckle's most famous ones were the ones he made early in his career--before the famous rape trial that severely derailed his career. Now in the early 30s, Vitaphone (part of Warner Brothers) brought him back for some sound shorts--a medium we're not used to seeing Fatty in and which feels a bit odd. Despite this, the film is enjoyable and surprised me very much...especially since the only other Vitaphone film starring Arbuckle I saw, "Buzzin' Around" wasn't all that great.
The film begins with an orphan being discovered at Fatty's job. The owner calls the local orphanage and Fatty won't let them take the kid. After all, he was an orphan and cannot imagine letting the kid grow up there. So, he quits his job and tries to make a going of it with the boy. Unfortunately, he can't find work so has to resort to a very funny method to get groceries. During this time, however, the orphanage folks see him and the kid and give chase.
The film made me laugh several times--both with Fatty's 'grocery shopping' as well as his attempt to dress up as a lady to disguise himself. Full of cute little comedy sequences...the only thing I wasn't 100% fond of was the rather dark ending...but all in all, a cute little film.