In addition to the Three Stooges, Columbia Pictures also hired a lot of other comics for their short films of the 1930s-50s. In particular, they had a habit of hiring down-and-out actors well after their careers had stagnated...such as Harry Langdon, Charley Chase and, in this case, Hugh Herbert.
The story begins at the local newspaper where Herbert works. He's 'Aunt Fanny', a Dear Abby-type advice columnist who works for a very grouchy guy...who soon fires him. The grouchy boss is shocked just a bit later when he learns that the unknown criminal genius, Dave the Drip, looks EXACTLY like Herbert. After publishing an article with Dave's photo, everyone Herbert sees thinks he's a dangerous character. So what happens when the real Dave the Drip shows up?
Having Hugh Herbert in this role was a good idea. He was a good choice to play a mousy man mistaken for a vicious criminal. The results, while far from brilliant, are pleasant and enjoyable. And, like all the Columbia shorts, you can hear a lot of sound effects that are familiar for the Stooge's shorts.
The story begins at the local newspaper where Herbert works. He's 'Aunt Fanny', a Dear Abby-type advice columnist who works for a very grouchy guy...who soon fires him. The grouchy boss is shocked just a bit later when he learns that the unknown criminal genius, Dave the Drip, looks EXACTLY like Herbert. After publishing an article with Dave's photo, everyone Herbert sees thinks he's a dangerous character. So what happens when the real Dave the Drip shows up?
Having Hugh Herbert in this role was a good idea. He was a good choice to play a mousy man mistaken for a vicious criminal. The results, while far from brilliant, are pleasant and enjoyable. And, like all the Columbia shorts, you can hear a lot of sound effects that are familiar for the Stooge's shorts.
