Man Bites Lovebug

Charley Chase spent his last four years working at the Columbia comedy shorts department -- this may come as a surprise to those of you who have only seen the Three Stooges. Working with ex-Sennett director Del Lord, he developed a comedy character midway between the frenetic, overacted style with over-the-top sound effects favored by Jules White and the style favored at Roach, where he had spent the previous fifteen years, a realistic style of comedy performance punctuated by gags which went mad.

MAN BITES LOVEBUG is very early in their collaboration and they have not got matters under control. The gags are impeccably performed, but the performances start over the top. There are too many asides. The performers start mugging for the camera as soon as they show up. The comedy effect is lessened by this. Still, the gags are well executed and it is interesting to watch as Chase and Lord work on integrating their styles.

Although these Charley Chase shorts have long been unavailable except for the occasional comedy festival, Columbia has released nine of them on DVD titled "Chase Shorts, Vol.1". They are well worth your consideration, even if you are unfamiliar with the comic. Besides, if they sell enough of these they may release the others, and then some of the shorts that Andy Clyde did at that studio.

This is one of Charley Chase's later shorts that he made for Columbia Pictures. In general, I've noticed that these later films are pretty good BUT also aren't quite as good as his best film that were made with Hal Roach.

When this one begins, a husband is so preoccupied by his work that he barely notices his pretty wife. However, he realizes his mistake and asks an author (Chase) to help him. He wants Chase to come to his home and make a play for the wife--then, the husband can pretend he's jealous and impress his wife that he cares. The problem is that the wife catches wind of their plan and decides to reciprocate when Charley makes passes at her! However, the butler isn't in on any of this and is determined NOT to let this happy home be ruined by an outsider--and he's constantly watching and threatening Charley.

Generally this is a good film. However, sometimes the film could have been better had the tone been a bit more subtle. Still, this is one that will hold your interest and probably will make you smile.

Another good COLUMBIA/Chase short that needs to see the light of day once more. Here he plays Charles Clayfoot Chase, an author who has written a book on marriage. While visiting fellow fraternity brother Theodore and his wife Imogene, Charley is coerced by Theodore to make moves on Imogene in order to make it as though Theodore is jealous. Imogene overhears her husband's plan and turns the tables, falling all over Charley. Meanwhile, Henry the manservant presumes Charley is up to no good and tries to intimidate our hero with a menacing knife & with a handgun served up at dinnertime. All in all, another funny Chase comedy with great Del Lord direction!