Uncle Joe is a bizarre little movie with barely a plot, sketched-in characters, and an abrupt ending that leaves one
.wishing for more? Though there's no time for plot or character development in this 51-minute opus, the film does find time for tuneful, leisurely performances of three or four fun songs—including one featuring an accordion-playing girl jazzing up a string quartet and a couple more done by Marvin Hatley and his orchestra in a radio studio setting.
Along with the music, the film offers a steady stream of gags and jokes, old and new. (Mostly old.) Among the best: the cow posing for her portrait out in the pasture.
Gale Storm is fine as the girl sent to visit her country uncle to get away from the city (and that icky artist fellow). Zasu Pitts as Aunt Julia is as good as always, especially in scenes like the one in which a banker tries to explain banking to her. And Slim Summerville is Uncle Joe—farmer, host, music lover and inventor of household gadgets. (Watch out for that dishwasher!)
It's an oddball little film in every way. Why are all the production credits apparent pseudonyms? What are all the Hal Roach studio personnel doing here if it's a "Wilding Production"? It's a loosely tossed together production, that's for sure the result is a slight but warm-hearted movie full of easy chuckles and sweet tunes. Why complain?
Along with the music, the film offers a steady stream of gags and jokes, old and new. (Mostly old.) Among the best: the cow posing for her portrait out in the pasture.
Gale Storm is fine as the girl sent to visit her country uncle to get away from the city (and that icky artist fellow). Zasu Pitts as Aunt Julia is as good as always, especially in scenes like the one in which a banker tries to explain banking to her. And Slim Summerville is Uncle Joe—farmer, host, music lover and inventor of household gadgets. (Watch out for that dishwasher!)
It's an oddball little film in every way. Why are all the production credits apparent pseudonyms? What are all the Hal Roach studio personnel doing here if it's a "Wilding Production"? It's a loosely tossed together production, that's for sure the result is a slight but warm-hearted movie full of easy chuckles and sweet tunes. Why complain?