In an attempt to appease the never-ending demand for Olsen and Johnson movies, Trio is running their 1943 film Crazy House this week and next in multiple airings. And it may take you multiple viewings to figure out all that's going on it, and to savor the amazing supporting cast of comedic actors. The roster includes Billy Gilbert, Shemp Howard, Edgar Kennedy, Hans Conried, Franklin Pangborn…well, lots of good people. In fact, everyone's funny in this movie except its stars, Ole Olsen and Chic Johnson. Well no, I take that back. They're sort of funny. But what's really funny is the frenetic pace as they appear in a movie about them appearing in a movie about them appearing in a movie. Ole and Chic were the masters of keeping it moving and keeping it silly, and they not only broke the fourth wall but would sometimes erect a fifth or sixth wall, just so they could knock them down, as well. Trio also runs old episodes of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In and that show was an obvious descendant of the Olsen and Johnson style, as seen in several movies and Broadway shows, most notably Hellzapoppin'.
I think. It's been a good thirty-something years since I've seen Hellzapoppin', which is among the most famous allegedly-great comedies that almost no one has ever seen. Apparently, some legal problem has kept it off TV and home video for decades but no longer. It's recently been released in Australia on a DVD which is alleged to be "region-free," meaning it should play on players in this country. I'm going to find out what I can about this and report back to you here.
While I've got you here: Early Wednesday morning, Turner Classic Movies is running the 1931 Parlor, Bedroom and Bath. This is one of those early talkies that Buster Keaton made as his career and sanity were deserting him and the first half is pretty slow. Near the end, it gets a lot better but you have to really like Keaton to make it that far.