"Too Many Cooks" is a very unusual film. While Bert Wheeler had already made quite a few movies with Robert Woolsey, here in this film RKO decided to split up the comedy team and have Wheeler star in a film only with Dorothy Lee...a cute young lady who frequently appeared as Wheeler's love interest in the Wheeler & Woolsey flicks. Considering this was the only Wheeler film without Wooley during Woolsey's lifetime, you can only assume that the film wasn't a big success. As for me, I never really liked Wooley's sort of humor...and I think it's actually one of Wheeler's best films.
The story finds Albert (Wheeler) and Alice (Lee) in love and planning on getting married. Life looks grand for the pair and they soon start planning on building a dream house which should be ready by the time they marry. However, their wonderful plans start to come unraveled when family gets involved. Her family is full of many pushy and obnoxious folks who spend all their time telling the couple what to do and how they should change their house's blueprints. His only family member is Uncle George...and he's no better. He insists it should be built his way...and if not, George is going to fire Albert!! Not surprisingly, soon the plans for the wedding are up in smoke and Albert and Alice are miserable.
While the story is a bit simplistic (especially the ending), the film is quite enjoyable. It's also a wonderful film for ALL young couples to watch so as to avoid the pitfalls of pushy family and unclear expectations! It also works well because you just can't help liking Wheeler and Lee's characters...they are adorable and so sweet that their plight really gets to you. A winner...and I wish the pair had made more films without Woolsey considering the result!
By the way, while this is a very good film, I certainly cringed at seeing Roscoe Ates and his god-awful stuttering shtick. It was embarrassing and rather mean-spirited...and very popular in its day.