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Reviews
Over the Counter (1932)
An absolutely HOOT!
This 1932 TECHNICOLOR! MGM short musical comedy is an historic joy: stupid, a bit risque (pre-sensorship), and full of laughs -- unless, of course, you're a Grinch. All the services and conveniences a. MODERN department store needs, most especially the MGM "Dancing (and singing) Girls," who put on quite a show, reminiscent of the saloon dancers in old westerns and certainly inappropriate by today's criteria.
Also included is the standard range of silly, uptight, and over the top characters who inhabited the short comedies that, along with a cartoon, a serial, the news, and a "Preview of Coming Attractions" made Saturday afternoons at movies in the 1940s and '50s wonderful fun and great escapes from whatever was lurking at home in our parents plans for our well-beings... and, however briefly, despite the news, blocked out THE WAR. And if you cannot "decode" that phrase, you're too young to be in my target audience!
But those of you who are "in the know," should find this movie and, as the opening of "THE LONE RANGER" on the radio had it, take a trip back to those thrilling days of yesteryear -- without WILLIAM TELL along for company!
PS: OVER THE COUNTER was recently shown on TCM following the dated but still compelling and creepy NIGHT OF THE HUNTER with.the ever-brilliant ROBERT MITCHUM.