Caught Plastered (1931)

Although forgotten today, the comedy team of Wheeler and Wolsey were very popular in the 1930's Caught Plastered, their first film shows why. Its a mildly amusing, short comedy about two down-and-out Vaudevillians helping an old lady save her drug store. Wolsey is a sort of poor man's Groucho, with wisecracks, glasses and a cigar. Naive, baby-face Wheeler handles the romance and sings. I found them very funny, but more charismatic comedians - like the Marx Brothers, WC fields, Laurel & Hardy - overshadowed them. They just aren't in the same league. The hokey plot (old fashioned even in 1931) is just an excuse for jokes and some vaudeville routines, although Jason Robards Senior makes an excellent villain and Dorothy Lee has some innocent clunky charm.

Best Scene: W&W wait on some very demanding, obnoxious customers.


Typical Jokes:
Wheeler: The manager came backstage and said he didn't allow profanity in his theater.

Wolsey: We didn't use any profanity.

Tanner: I know, but the audience did.

Wolsey: You know, some people call me a wit.
Wheeler: And they're half right.

Summary: Like many early 30's movies, this comedy is a bit of an antique piece. To modern viewers the whole thing is played half-a-beat too slow. But its only 68 minutes and I laughed at many of the jokes. Wolsey and Wheeler are a funny comedy team, and I'm looking forward to more of their films. Rating ** 1/2