Movie spotlight
Night Work
Willie, as an assistant window-dresser, is the lowest man on the totem pole at a department store. To add insult-to-injury Willie is also the store's designated 'Fired Man."; when a disgruntled customer demands that somebody-must-be-fired, Willie is summoned and summarily fired, only to be rehired when the now-satisfied customer has departed. Willie inadvertently adopts a four-year-old orphan at a cost of ten-dollars a week, and things go from bad to worse since Willie doesn't make ten-dollars a week. But, with the help of Mary, a beautiful young nurse, Willie manages to turn some corners and improve his lot in life, albeit with some skids along the way.
Insights
Plot Summary
A poor young man desperately tries to find money to pay for his sick mother's medicine. He embarks on a series of increasingly frantic and comedic attempts to earn cash, including trying to sell his possessions and even resorting to petty theft, all while trying to evade a persistent police officer.
Critical Reception
As an early sound comedy short, 'Night Work' is generally viewed as a competent and entertaining entry in Charley Chase's filmography. It showcases his signature blend of pathos and physical comedy, though it may not reach the heights of his later Hal Roach masterpieces. The film was part of a prolific output for Chase during this era, contributing to the vibrant landscape of early comedic cinema.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for Charley Chase's reliable comedic timing and ability to evoke sympathy.
Appreciated for its fast-paced gags and early sound-era charm.
Noted as a solid, if not groundbreaking, example of Chase's typical comedic formula.
Google audience: Audience reception for this short film is not widely documented. However, fans of early silent and sound comedy often appreciate Charley Chase's performances for their mix of humor and heart.
Fun Fact
Leo McCarey, the director of 'Night Work,' would go on to become a highly successful director, winning Academy Awards for Best Director for 'The Awful Truth' (1937) and 'Going My Way' (1944).
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