While the Cat’s Away (1936)

movie

(28)

Country: USA
Genres: Comedy, Short
Release: 1936-01-04
Director: Lloyd French
Writers: Jack Henley , Burnet Hershey
Language: English
Stars: Shemp Howard , John Berkes , Anita Garvin , Jean Cleveland , Allyn Drake , Fred Harper , Ralph Sanford
Runtime: 22 min
Awards: N/A
AKA: While the Cat's Away , When the Cat's Away (United States of America) , Big V Comedies (1935-1936 season) #7: While the Cat's Away (United States of America) , While the Cat's Away (United States of America)
Plot: Director Lloyd French had spent a good many years at the Hal Roach studio, so it's hardly surprising to find that this Vitaphone short borrows extensively from from two Laurel & Hardy shorts -- HELPMATES and UNACCUSTOMED AS WE ARE. While Shemp Howard is, as always, Shemp Howard, Johnny Berkes' performance is clearly modeled on Stan Laurel. There's even Anita Garvin on hand.As a Laurel & Hardy fan I find it a bit unnerving to see some of the routines reused, but Shemp, although best as a supporting comic, certainly knows how to handle rough-and-ready comedy. His means of mixing hair of the dog is funny and he certainly keeps busy. Berkes, in contrast, just walks through his role, careful not to get in anyone's way and waiting for the payoff gag. The result is a good if not stellar comedy.
IMDB:tt0153764