In the 1930s and 40s, Edgar Kennedy starred in a string of domestic short comedies for RKO. Oddly, however, it looked as if Kennedy had three separate families--as some had Florence Lake and her mother and brother, some had Vivian Oakland with no in-laws and a few has Sally Payne and her brother. All had the same theme music and were similar in most ways--though the Lake ones were the most common and annoying, as Lake's high-pitched voice and laugh were about as enjoyable as chewing glass! Sadly, "Rough on Rents" is one of the Lake comedies.
This one begins with Edgar losing a lot of money on a horse race. He gets the brilliant idea of taking in a border--but doesn't tell the wife! I guess he figures with her and her annoying in-laws going out of town they won't know...at least for a while! Soon, the new tenant has a wild party and Edgar sits in on it. However, Florence and the other two jerks are coming back early--and he expects the new border and his friends to leave--but the guy has paid his rent. And, the friends become not particularly friendly when he suggests they go. However, eventually they leave and it looks like Edgar's gotten away with it...or does he?!
I was genuinely surprised by this film. Not only was it a decent plot, but Florence Lake actually kept her mouth relatively shut! Maybe the director or RKO execs finally decided to tone down her routine...all I know is that she's not, for a change, a detriment to a film!! Worth seeing.
This one begins with Edgar losing a lot of money on a horse race. He gets the brilliant idea of taking in a border--but doesn't tell the wife! I guess he figures with her and her annoying in-laws going out of town they won't know...at least for a while! Soon, the new tenant has a wild party and Edgar sits in on it. However, Florence and the other two jerks are coming back early--and he expects the new border and his friends to leave--but the guy has paid his rent. And, the friends become not particularly friendly when he suggests they go. However, eventually they leave and it looks like Edgar's gotten away with it...or does he?!
I was genuinely surprised by this film. Not only was it a decent plot, but Florence Lake actually kept her mouth relatively shut! Maybe the director or RKO execs finally decided to tone down her routine...all I know is that she's not, for a change, a detriment to a film!! Worth seeing.