Ex-wife remarries, doesn't tell husband so he'll still pay alimony.Ex-wife remarries, doesn't tell husband so he'll still pay alimony.Ex-wife remarries, doesn't tell husband so he'll still pay alimony.
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Featured review
The Old Ball and Chain
In the high-speed, wire-work & sound effects world of Jules White's shorts division at Columbia, Andy Clyde, in what would be the unit's second longest running series, managed to be the odd man out. While the other comics usually relied on speed and destruction, he reacted to the insanity with a slow but not stupid apprehension that was more real and to me, funnier than the other comics. This is a a typically good short.
The story is simple enough in its set-up. Andy has gotten married for the second time and is enjoying his honeymoon. Meanwhile, his first bride, played by the dependable comedienne Vivien Oakland. has also gotten married but thinks she can collect alimony anyway by showing up with her obnoxious son, played by Tommy Bonds. Through a typical bit of Columbia plotting, Andy is thought to have come down with the measles. However it occurs to him that if his ex thinks he is dead, she won't try to collect alimony....
Besides Andy's typically humorous slow reactions and the nice acting variations between his current and ex-wife, there is some interesting camera-work here: DP George Meehan favors us with some nice side lighting in Andy's sick room, and some very nice short pans -- hardly typical of comedy and almost unheard of at Columbia where flat bright light was almost universal. Credit Charles Lamont on his way through from Educational on his way to Universal.
Although most of the jokes are wonderfully executed, there is a rather old-fashioned and nowadays annoying bit as the hired man, who is Black, is frightened of what he thinks is Andy's ghost. Still, the overall effect is pleasing and while not among Andy's best, is a fine addition to his body of work.
The story is simple enough in its set-up. Andy has gotten married for the second time and is enjoying his honeymoon. Meanwhile, his first bride, played by the dependable comedienne Vivien Oakland. has also gotten married but thinks she can collect alimony anyway by showing up with her obnoxious son, played by Tommy Bonds. Through a typical bit of Columbia plotting, Andy is thought to have come down with the measles. However it occurs to him that if his ex thinks he is dead, she won't try to collect alimony....
Besides Andy's typically humorous slow reactions and the nice acting variations between his current and ex-wife, there is some interesting camera-work here: DP George Meehan favors us with some nice side lighting in Andy's sick room, and some very nice short pans -- hardly typical of comedy and almost unheard of at Columbia where flat bright light was almost universal. Credit Charles Lamont on his way through from Educational on his way to Universal.
Although most of the jokes are wonderfully executed, there is a rather old-fashioned and nowadays annoying bit as the hired man, who is Black, is frightened of what he thinks is Andy's ghost. Still, the overall effect is pleasing and while not among Andy's best, is a fine addition to his body of work.
helpful•10
- boblipton
- Oct 19, 2010
Details
- Runtime20 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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