It had been some years since I had seen a Joe E. Brown movie until recently seeing Fireman Save My Child. I liked that film both because of Brown and the baseball setting. Brown was a genuine comedic talent – his manner of talking, his walk, his rubbery face – his seeming warmth and good nature. However, in this film his character is basically unlikable despite all the familiar mannerisms. The film starts out well with a nifty routine of Brown (Elmer) waking up, drowsy he puts both socks on the same foot and then goes downstairs where he has a huge breakfast. The Chicago Cubs have an option on Elmer and want him to sign a contract, which he eventually does. He becomes a big star and continues to brag incessantly to the understandable annoyance of his teammates. He soon in his hick naivety is taken advantage of by gamblers who want him to throw a game in the pennant with the Yankees. He tells the Cubs owner and the coach that he wouldn't do this – he bet on the Cubs to win! What? He goes out and makes the play (diving into home plate) in spite of some earlier skulduggery by the Yankee pitcher and catcher (the Yankees must loved being portrayed as cheats). At any rate, even after all his experiences with the gamblers, he has learned nothing. Oh, yes – he wins the girl's hand and he is a baseball hero, as he will endlessly tell everyone. Elmer is insufferable, not an endearing, lovable braggart as evidently those who dreamed up and produced this film thought he was. To be fair, Brown almost pulls it off but who would want to be around a guy who only wants to talk about himself and how great he is?
Review of Elmer, the Great
