It is a bit sad that so few of Charley Chase's Hal Roach shorts from the 1930s are available to the general public. Though Chase is today primarily remembered as a silent comedian, he made the transition to sound quite smoothly. ON THE WRONG TREK is among his more accessible films from this period, probably due to a brief cameo appearance by Laurel and Hardy (who by this time, 1936, had stopped making shorts on their own altogether). While this is not among Chase's very funniest shorts, it is rather gently played, devoid of any kind of over-the-top humor, and serves as a pleasant way to spend twenty minutes. Observant viewers will note that Chase himself co-directed this film, albeit under his birth name Charles Parrott.
Charley has just arrived back at work after his summer vacation, and recalls the trip in detail to a crowd of curious colleagues. Having originally planned a trip to Mexico, his mother-in-law insisted they should go to California instead; and as his wife constantly reminds him, "Mother knows best." On the way, they are robbed and generally humiliated by unpredicted circumstances. The short provides few "gags" as such; most of the humor rather derives from situations, which is the style that seems to suit Chase the best. At one point towards the end of the film, he is even given opportunity to showcase his talent as a singer, when he performs a nice little tune along with co-star Rosina Lawrence. Chase's occasional singing numbers give many of his films an additional layer not found in too many other two-reel comedies of the same era.
If you are familiar with Charley Chase already and have seen his best silent work, I'd certainly recommend you to check out ON THE WRONG TREK. (This review was revised in 2014.)
Charley has just arrived back at work after his summer vacation, and recalls the trip in detail to a crowd of curious colleagues. Having originally planned a trip to Mexico, his mother-in-law insisted they should go to California instead; and as his wife constantly reminds him, "Mother knows best." On the way, they are robbed and generally humiliated by unpredicted circumstances. The short provides few "gags" as such; most of the humor rather derives from situations, which is the style that seems to suit Chase the best. At one point towards the end of the film, he is even given opportunity to showcase his talent as a singer, when he performs a nice little tune along with co-star Rosina Lawrence. Chase's occasional singing numbers give many of his films an additional layer not found in too many other two-reel comedies of the same era.
If you are familiar with Charley Chase already and have seen his best silent work, I'd certainly recommend you to check out ON THE WRONG TREK. (This review was revised in 2014.)