User Reviews

One of a number of Buster Keaton-starring comedy shorts put out by Columbia around 1940. I've only seen one other (His Ex marks the spot), which was funnier than this one. But that's not to say that there are no funny scenes in this film........Buster finally convinces his reluctant wife that they should sell their car, take a bus to Detroit, and buy a new car. The bus ride is no great shakes, for several reasons. Buster turned down insurance for their new car, claiming he is a careful driver. But, not being familiar with the controls, the first thing he does is crash through a big plate glass at the dealership, which he has to pay for, leaving little money for the return trip. In trying to get out of his parking place, he crashes into the car behind, and has to shell out more cash, leaving precious little for the return trip. Now, his wife complains she's starving. With little money for food, Keaton decides to check out a barn, and finds various vegies. He has to run for his life when the farmer sees him. They rent a unit at The Cozy Auto Court. The wife goes to look for some milk........ Meanwhile, Buster cuts and cooks the veggies. He doesn't notice that a drunk woman(Beatrice Blinn) wanders in, and, after closing the door, lays down on his wife's bed. She looks much like his wife, so he assumes she is. But when he hears his wife yelling to let her in, he knows something is wrong. He doesn't want his wife to see her, so he drags her around, unsure what to do with her. Finally, he pushes her out the window and follows. For a brief moment , she is coherent, and tells him which unit she is supposed to be in. So, he carries her there, and tries to put her on the bed. But, the pull down bed, doesn't want to stay down without a weight on it. He has trouble coordinating things until, finally , he gets her on the bed. I find this entire section dealing with the drunk woman quite funny, and typical Keaton. ........Back in his own unit, Buster and his wife hear police beating on their door, they think. But, actually, it's the next door. The police have been tipped off that a couple of dangerous criminals are in the next room. But Buster assumes they have come for him for stealing those veggies. Both Buster, and the criminals get out of their back doors. The criminals steal Buster's car.(How without his keys?) The police are on their tail, and Buster is running after the cars. He hops on the back of an open truck carrying large tires, and gets inside a pair of tires roped together The truck goes up a hill and these tires roll off the back and down the hill, creating havoc for several people down the hill. After it stops, Buster sees his car speeding toward him, followed by the police. He makes the fateful decision to push the tires in front of his car, causing it to wreck. Remember that Buster has no insurance on his car. He suggests that they sell the car's remains to a junk dealer, and hope they get enough to buy back their old car. His wife doesn't like that prospect.. I give the film a 6.5. Check it out at YouTube.