Charley Chase began his fourth season at Columbia and his last ever -- he died the year this movie was released -- on a high note. THE HECKLER doesn't look like a Chase comedy at all, but he played a similar loud mouth in Laurel & Hardy's SONS OF THE DESERT. Perhaps director Del Lord, screenwriter John Grey and Charley were indulging in a sly dig at Jules White, who liked his comedies loud, violent and obvious.
Charley plays a professional heckler, hired by some gamblers to sabotage the Green Sox and their new star center fielder, played by Bruce Bennett. Of more interest -- and fun for all fans of old-time comedy -- is seeing all the old talent, many of whom Charlie had worked with and directed over his long career.
Alas, Charley's time was running out. His health had been failing for ten years, aggravated by chronic alcoholism. Yet he never let it show on the screen. With this and his last film, SOUTH OF THE BOUDOIR, he showed what he could do and went out on a high note.
Charley plays a professional heckler, hired by some gamblers to sabotage the Green Sox and their new star center fielder, played by Bruce Bennett. Of more interest -- and fun for all fans of old-time comedy -- is seeing all the old talent, many of whom Charlie had worked with and directed over his long career.
Alas, Charley's time was running out. His health had been failing for ten years, aggravated by chronic alcoholism. Yet he never let it show on the screen. With this and his last film, SOUTH OF THE BOUDOIR, he showed what he could do and went out on a high note.