Bridge Wives (1932)

Mrs. Smith is participating in a marathon bridge tournament, and Mr. Smith has become anxious and desperate as a result.

Director:

Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle

Writers:

Ernest Pagano, Jack Townley

Stars:

Al St. John, Fern Emmett, Billy Bletcher

Cast

Cast overview:
Al St. John	...	Al Smith
Fern Emmett	...	Al's wife, Mrs. Smith
Billy Bletcher	...	Radio announcer
Lynton Brent	...	Reporter

Storyline

A marathon bridge tournament, which started three months ago, is being held at the home of Mrs. Smith, one of the competitors. As it finally nears its completion, Mr. Smith is becoming increasingly desperate and agitated over the situation. When the score ends in a tie, the tournament is extended for three more months. Mr. Smith is beside himself with rage - he ejects everyone from his home, and refuses to let his wife play any further. Later on, even when she tries to turn on the radio to listen to the broadcast of the game, Mr. Smith is thrown into a frenzy, and he starts to take out his accumulated frustration on the radio.

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Plot Keywords:

tournament | radio | bridge | tie | radio announcer | 

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Genres:

Short | Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 February 1932 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Educational Films Corporation of America

Technical Specs

Runtime:

11 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

User Reviews

Al St. John Underacts!

He screams, he rants, he pulls at his hair, he throws a radio through a wall and dives after it. For Al St. John this is underacting. He was one of the best fall takers in the industry, ranking with Buster Keaton and Lupino Lane, but his idea of acting was to behave like an agile toddler throwing a tantrum. After looking at a sizable portion of his more than two hundred movies over the forty years he spent in the industry, from BANGVILLE POLICE in 1913 to THE BLACK LASH in 1952 -- comic sidekick to Lash LaRue (Yes, there was an actor who went by that name) -- I must say that it's also pretty funny for once, because what is he screaming, ranting etc. about? His wife has been playing contract bridge for three months and the dirty dishes are piling up.

This is a very well-made comedy short, directed by Al's uncle, Roscoe Arbuckle under his pseudonym of William Goodrich. The gags are well done and the editing is also carefully handled. Although I strongly dislike Mr. St. John's performances, this is one funny short.