Movie spotlight
Caught Short
Landladies Polly Smith and Marie Jones, who operate boardinghouses on the same side of the street, are afflicted with numerous petty envies and jealousies but nevertheless are the best of friends. Polly invests in the stock market and begins to reap rewards, but she is unable to persuade Marie to use her life's savings to buy shares of American Cheese or Brazilian Bananas. Meanwhile, Marie's daughter, Genevieve, and Polly's son, William, just back from college, fall in love; but an argument between the ladies breaks up the romance; and smarting under Polly's patronizing manner, Marie plunges into the market herself and with the winnings is able to stage a society splurge at a fashionable resort.
Insights
Plot Summary
In this short comedy, a wealthy and imperious woman finds her extravagant lifestyle threatened when she is cut off financially. She is forced to take on menial jobs to make ends meet, leading to humorous and humbling experiences. Her attempts to navigate the world of manual labor highlight the vast difference between her privileged past and her challenging present.
Critical Reception
As a short film from 1930, contemporary critical reception is difficult to pinpoint. However, it is notable for pairing two of the era's biggest stars, Marie Dressler and Will Rogers, in a brief but entertaining showcase of their comedic talents. The film is generally viewed as a charming example of early Hollywood shorts.
What Reviewers Say
A brief but effective showcase for the chemistry between Dressler and Rogers.
Humorous situations arise from the contrast between wealth and poverty.
A pleasant diversion, typical of the short films of its era.
Google audience: Audience reviews for this very old short film are scarce. However, those who have seen it often praise the comedic performances of its lead actors.
Fun Fact
This short film reunited Marie Dressler and Will Rogers, who had previously starred together in the feature film 'The Vagabond King' (1930).
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