Mary Ann, Wheezer and "Beezer" (a short-lived in-universe brother of Wheezer's who didn't make it to the talkies) have lost their mother to the great beyond. As a result, Mary Ann has to take care of her two little brothers, and many slapstick events ensue. In the meantime, Father has to comfort the kids, who desperately want their Mama back.
It's a sweet enough setup, but it gets short shrift for an inexplicably inserted gag about Wheezer and Beezer turning on a fire hydrant hose and spraying random citizens in the usual Hal Roach slapstick setup. This has nothing to do with anything and feels like it was added to pad time. Finally, the kids' aunt arrives -- it turns out Mama has a twin sister. The Aunt looks so much like Mama that she suggests to Dad that they deceive the kids into thinking Mama has come back!
I can't help thinking how weird an idea that is, and how it would never play today. I can't even imagine it playing THEN. Up until this point, Wheezer and Beezer have managed to convince you that they miss their Mama even when their stomachs bloat out to balloon-like proportions. For that, I recommend it, but I wish it hadn't fallen apart with the fire hydrant gag.
It's a sweet enough setup, but it gets short shrift for an inexplicably inserted gag about Wheezer and Beezer turning on a fire hydrant hose and spraying random citizens in the usual Hal Roach slapstick setup. This has nothing to do with anything and feels like it was added to pad time. Finally, the kids' aunt arrives -- it turns out Mama has a twin sister. The Aunt looks so much like Mama that she suggests to Dad that they deceive the kids into thinking Mama has come back!
I can't help thinking how weird an idea that is, and how it would never play today. I can't even imagine it playing THEN. Up until this point, Wheezer and Beezer have managed to convince you that they miss their Mama even when their stomachs bloat out to balloon-like proportions. For that, I recommend it, but I wish it hadn't fallen apart with the fire hydrant gag.