"The Chump Takes a Bump" is one of Charley Chase's last films. Unlike much of what he did for the Hal Roach Studio, by the late 30s, Chase was now doing films for Columbia that often recycled his old gags. Here, the main story idea from Chase's hit "Mighty Like a Moose" is reused-- but with pretty awful results.
The story begins with Charley's boss offering him a raise...IF he agrees to come along with him and pretend that the boss's mistress is his if anyone catches them. Charley's wife finds out he's out partying but doesn't realize that it's all part of his work. So, she gets all dressed up and goes to the nightclub to confront him. However, she's just gotten a makeover with a new hairstyle and he doesn't recognize it's the wife and he starts making passes at her. Where does it all go? See the film...or not.
In "Mighty Like a Moose", both Charley and his wife get plastic surgery. So, the idea of both of them meeting later and making passes at each other (i.e., they think they're cheating but they actually aren't) is kind of believable. However, in this lame remake you're expected to believe that a hairdo will be enough to make the wife unrecognizable?! Perhaps this might happen at first, but after spending the evening together and he STILL doesn't recognize it's her?!?! Unless he was insane, had a massive head injury or was rip-roaring drunk, this just doesn't make any sense. The film has a few laughs and is amiable enough but is also a reminder of just how far removed these later films are from his earlier successes. Watchable and not terrible...but you would expect more from a Chase film.
