Like a lot of comedies made in the pre-code era, depth and believability of characters and subtlety of story were sacrificed for jokes. In this example, there's just one joke which gets a little bit too childish after a while to make a proper picture.
That approach worked with talented comedians such as Laurel and Hardy, Marx Brothers or even today's SpongeBob SquarePants but not with character actors who don't bother to display any character. Comedy dramas only work when you can believe in and empathise with the people you're watching - when you can believe you're watching real people not actors. This film however simply feels like Edward G Robinson having a bit of a laugh. It's not a bad film but its gentle humour relies solely on the fact that Robinson was that tough guy actor being silly.
Despite its significant flaws, reliable Roy del Ruth keeps this bouncing along at a good pace so it's easy to watch. EGR is actually quite amusing and although you'll not laugh, you'll smile. Essentially however this is nothing more than a famous actor enjoying some in-jokes.
That approach worked with talented comedians such as Laurel and Hardy, Marx Brothers or even today's SpongeBob SquarePants but not with character actors who don't bother to display any character. Comedy dramas only work when you can believe in and empathise with the people you're watching - when you can believe you're watching real people not actors. This film however simply feels like Edward G Robinson having a bit of a laugh. It's not a bad film but its gentle humour relies solely on the fact that Robinson was that tough guy actor being silly.
Despite its significant flaws, reliable Roy del Ruth keeps this bouncing along at a good pace so it's easy to watch. EGR is actually quite amusing and although you'll not laugh, you'll smile. Essentially however this is nothing more than a famous actor enjoying some in-jokes.