Movie spotlight
Birthday Blues
Leon, not willing to admit he had forgotten the birthday of his wife, tells her he left her present at the office, and she insists he go get it. On the way, a sidewalk salesman sells him a fur coat which Leon learns later had been stolen from his neighbor's wife. He tries to sneak the coat back into the apartment but the husband catches him, and Leon is unable to explain why he is there. A lot of rain must fall in Leon's life, and it does, before everything is resolved... somewhat. He still doesn't have a present for Dorothy, a fact that does not go unnoticed by her.
Insights
Plot Summary
A short comedic film where a man experiences a series of unfortunate events on his birthday, escalating from minor inconveniences to larger mishaps. The humor derives from the character's reactions to his increasingly disastrous day. It plays on the trope of a birthday gone wrong.
Critical Reception
As a short film from 1945, 'Birthday Blues' received modest attention primarily for its comedic timing and Sheldon Leonard's performance. It was generally seen as a lighthearted piece of entertainment typical of the era's short subject offerings, neither groundbreaking nor particularly criticized.
What Reviewers Say
Mildly amusing situational comedy.
A predictable but lighthearted romp.
Relies on slapstick and character exasperation.
Google audience: Audience reception for this short film is largely uncatalogued due to its age and format. However, contemporary reviews would likely have noted its simple, comedic premise and brief runtime as suitable for a cinema program filler.
Fun Fact
Sheldon Leonard, known later for his work as a producer and director on iconic television shows like 'The Dick Van Dyke Show' and 'I Spy,' also acted in and directed this short comedy early in his career.
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