Movie spotlight
The Pest
Stan is Jimmy Smith, a salesman who is trying hard to pitch his Napoleon book to an uninterested customer as they stand in front of some iron gates. When an elderly gentleman approaches the two men he uses sign language to communicate to the 'customer' and they leave together. This is when Stan sees the sign for the Deaf & Dumb Institute that his subject was standing in front of. An elderly lady then walks out of the gates and Stan uses sign language in an attempt to talk to her. Of course, she is not deaf or dumb and gives him some verbal abuse for assuming so.
Insights
Plot Summary
In this silent comedy short, a gentleman caller is mistaken for a pest exterminator and ends up creating more chaos than he resolves. He attempts to rid a home of a supposed rodent infestation, leading to a series of escalating mishaps and misunderstandings. The situation spirals comically out of control as he tries to maintain his charade.
Critical Reception
As a short silent comedy from the early 1920s, "The Pest" is primarily noted for its slapstick humor and the early performance of Oliver Hardy. Contemporary reviews, if available, would have focused on its comedic timing and gags, typical of the era's short film productions. Its historical significance lies in its place within the development of comedic cinema.
What Reviewers Say
Early slapstick humor with a simple premise.
Relies heavily on physical comedy and misunderstandings.
Features a notable early performance from Oliver Hardy.
Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for this 1922 silent film is not readily available.
Fun Fact
This short film is one of Oliver Hardy's many early solo appearances before his iconic partnership with Stan Laurel.
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