Kick Me Again
Don’t expect much in the way of a plot from Kick Me Again. When a married student falls for her portly dance instructor, Puffy is forced to flee in a ballet tutu from the clutches of her jealous husband. The usual slapstick complications ensue before the cross-dressing funnyman finally locates a new suit of clothes. The viewing pleasure comes not from the run-of-the-mill gags and storyline but from seeing a master wring every ounce of comedy from his ungainly outfit. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive, in partnership with Universal Pictures, in 2013.
Insights
Plot Summary
This silent comedy short follows a tramp who gets into a series of unfortunate and humorous situations. He attempts to impress a girl but his efforts are constantly thwarted by bad luck and misunderstandings. The film is characterized by its slapstick gags and the innocent, yet mischievous, character of its protagonist.
Critical Reception
As a short film from the silent era, critical reception is difficult to ascertain with modern metrics. However, films of this nature were generally produced for entertainment value and were popular among audiences of the time. Its success would have been measured by its ability to generate laughter and engage viewers in its simple, comedic narrative.
What Reviewers Say
- Appreciated for its simple slapstick humor.
- A lighthearted and amusing entry in the comedy short genre.
- Features a charming performance from its lead.
Google audience: Audience reviews from the era, if available, would likely highlight the film's comedic timing and the endearing nature of the main character's predicaments.
Fun Fact
Al St. John, who starred as the tramp, was the uncle of legendary silent film comedian Fatty Arbuckle and often worked with him in early films.
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