The Nickel Snatcher

"The Nickel Snatcher" stars Hank Mann and Vernon Dent. I cannot recall having ever seen Hank Mann in a movie and had never heard of him before this film. As for Dent, he went on to have a long career in films--particularly playing supporting characters in shorts from Columbia Pictures. The film was directed by Charles Parrott...who was known as Charley Chase, the comedian. During his career, he often directed films for Hal Roach Studios.

The story begins with no credits whatsoever. I assume they were lost to the ravages of time. Otherwise, the film appears to be complete. The setting is a horse-drawn trolley and Mann and Dent are the driver/conductor. However, when they stop at the beach to let a group of bathing beauties off, both seem to forget they ARE supposed to be working. Mann goes to the beach with the ladies and Dent calls together his gang so they can rob a rich man! Can Mann manage to fend off the robbers when he sees them or will he just step aside and let them do their dirty work?

This is a generally pleasant film. That being said, there are NOT a ton of laughs in this one and it could have used some more. The biggest laugh consist of some fat lady scenes...which, with today's sensibilities, would seem pretty cruel.