Romantic complications abound when a zany young nobleman at Oxford is persuaded to impersonate his friend CHARLEY'S AUNT from Brazil - - where the nuts come from...
Although quite an antique - with its faded print & missing moments - this ancient talkie version of the Brandon Thomas chestnut looks like what it is: a filmed version of the play, full of slapstick & mistaken identities. However, it is remarkable for containing one of the first great comedy performances of the sound cinema - Charlie Ruggles in the title role.
Although at 44 he's too old to be playing a college boy, and his American accent initially seems a bit out of place, Ruggles soon dominates the proceedings with his shameless acting. Flouncing about in a granny dress, shawl & curls, flirting outrageously with two silly old men, taking pratfalls, mugging the camera, he is absolutely hilarious. Off to a good start, for the next 40 years Ruggles would be considered one of Hollywood's ablest character actors.
Supporting him are some fine British stalwarts - Halliwell Hobbes, Doris Lloyd, Hugh Williams. Together with Charlie Ruggles, they make this seldom-seen film an entertaining treat for modern viewers.
Although quite an antique - with its faded print & missing moments - this ancient talkie version of the Brandon Thomas chestnut looks like what it is: a filmed version of the play, full of slapstick & mistaken identities. However, it is remarkable for containing one of the first great comedy performances of the sound cinema - Charlie Ruggles in the title role.
Although at 44 he's too old to be playing a college boy, and his American accent initially seems a bit out of place, Ruggles soon dominates the proceedings with his shameless acting. Flouncing about in a granny dress, shawl & curls, flirting outrageously with two silly old men, taking pratfalls, mugging the camera, he is absolutely hilarious. Off to a good start, for the next 40 years Ruggles would be considered one of Hollywood's ablest character actors.
Supporting him are some fine British stalwarts - Halliwell Hobbes, Doris Lloyd, Hugh Williams. Together with Charlie Ruggles, they make this seldom-seen film an entertaining treat for modern viewers.