Is Marriage the Bunk? (1925)
** 1/2 (out of 4)
Charley Chase plays a husband who is happily married to the woman (Katherine Grant) he loves but her family hates him. Chase's sister-in-law is married to a rich man and the family thinks that's what his wife deserves so he sets out to prove that he can provide his wife with nice things. I've read several reviews that stated this was among Chase's worst films but I wouldn't go that far. There really aren't enough laughs here to keep the film moving but there are a few good things. The highlight of the film happens at the start when Chase is doing various impersonations for his family. These impersonations includes one of Chaplin, which is pretty hilarious as Chase nails the Tramp walk and famous cigarette kick. This sequence alone makes this film worth checking out but everything that follows pales in comparison. One problem is that the supporting cast really doesn't add anything to the film as the relatives are all rather boring and routine. Chase himself really doesn't get to do anything overly impressive outside the Chaplin act and even Grant comes off appearing bored here.
