That's the name that Dave O'Brien goes by in this funny short. He had spent most of the 1930s as a minor cowboy star and director of oaters before he hooked up with a Smith called Pete for the last ten years or so of Pete's career as a producer-narrator of comedy one-reelers for MGM. This early one was nominated for an Oscar, possibly because O'Brien didn't wear his toupee for part of this one when Pete is discussing non-existent cures for baldness, among issues of how many glasses of water you have to drink to put down the hiccups or which side of the bed you should sleep on. Or maybe it's because MGM pushed this one on the Academy. Whatever. It's very enjoyable.
After Pete stopped making them in 1955, O'Brien -- or Barclay, depending on whether he was writing, directing or taking a pratfall -- went to work writing for Red Skelton's TV show. He won an Emmy for that work.
After Pete stopped making them in 1955, O'Brien -- or Barclay, depending on whether he was writing, directing or taking a pratfall -- went to work writing for Red Skelton's TV show. He won an Emmy for that work.