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Talkie short

Something Simple

  • Year 1934
  • Studio Hal Roach Studios
  • Runtime 18 min
  • 2 reels

Synopsis

Taken to a hospital, after suffering a dizzy spell, Charley is told by a 'nut', posing as a doctor, that he suffers from 'Tetra-Ethyl", and the only remedy is to sit down, relax, clear the mind and recite a nursery rhyme. The fake doctor gives Charley a package to deliver to Mr. Henderson, the "Supreme Crown of the Knights of the Brown Derby." At the hotel, hosting a convention of "Brown Derbies," Charley suffers a dizzy spell and the only place he can find to sit down is in Mr. Henderson's lap, where he recites "Mary Had a Little Lamb." Mr. Henderson, it is revealed, also suffers from "Tetra-Ethyl." Seized by an attack, Henderson sits down and tries to recite "Who Killed Cock Robin," but forgets the lines, which Charley and Henderson's daughter, Betty, sing in a song together. That, coming at the end of the second reel,is all it takes for Charley and Betty to decide to get married.

Credits

RolePeopleCharacterBilled as
CastCharley ChaseCharleyCharley Chase
CastBetty MackBettyBetty Mack
CastDell HendersonTanhauserDell Henderson
CastArthur HousmanDrunkArthur Housman
CastLew KellyNut DoctorLew Kelly
CastHarry BowenDesk ClerkHarry Bowen
CastEddie BakerMotorcycle CopEddie Baker
CastFred 'Snowflake' ToonesTaxi DriverFred 'Snowflake' Toones
DirectorCharley ChaseDirectorCharley Chase
DirectorWalter WeemsDirectorWalter Weems
WriterCharley ChaseWriterCharley Chase
ProducerHal Roach——
cinematographyFrancis Corby——
editorWilliam H. Terhune——
soundHarry Baker——
CastJames C. MortonAmbulance driver—
CastHarry BernardAsylum attendant—
CastCharlie HallAsylum attendant—
CastCharles SullivanTaxi driver—
CastJack CheathamPolice officer—
CastJoseph YoungTaxi driver—
CastCy SlocumAmbulance attendant—
CastDoc KellyConventionnaire—
CastHooper AtchleyConventionnaire—
CastBobby DunnConventionnaire—
CastSydney JarvisConventionnaire—
CastLoretta RussellConventionnaire—
CastL.J. O'ConnorConventionnaire—
CastJohn PowerConventionnaire—
CastHarry WildeConventionnaire—
CastCharles LloydConventionnaire—
CastHarry DunkinsonPolice chief—

Still gallery

Family profiles coming soon.