This 1930 comedy short is a good example of films during the transition period from silent to sound. The early films of this period were shot with stationary microphones. The actors couldn't move about as freely and naturally. So, they often stood around in scenes that give them a "wooden" feel to audiences.
Jack Benny and the rest of the cast do a good job in this setting. His exchanges with Dorothy Sebastian are samples of the witty, clever and snappy comic routine he would develop and use throughout his career. It was as true of his Hollywood films as of his radio and then TV shows.
This 20-minute short has some very funny sequences. But Benny's Mr. Bartlett doesn't come across as too tipsy, which he is supposed to be. It's a fine film extra that accompanied feature films back in the early days of cinema.
Here are a couple favorite lines from this 20-minute short.
Ethel Dalton, "I am going to marry you." Mr. Bartlett, "All right, go ahead I haven't anything to do this afternoon."
Mr. Bartlett, "I love you. What is your name again?"
