Edison

film 61 of 103

Old Maid Having Her Picture Taken

Film Review by Dean Duncan May 27, 2015

Solid comic construction, pacing, timing. The female impersonator causes things to fall off of the wall, breaks the mirror, and makes the camera blow up because she’s so ugly. All this is set off by a certain dignity in her comportment. This is so important! Sometimes the less you try, the more you accomplish. By combining these two seemingly incompatible qualities, Fleming and Porter have stumbled upon Stan Laurel’s eventual method. Have fun, even make fun. But give characters their due as well. When that happens, a certain and often very powerful respect/affection can follow.

Direct common lineage? Maybe/not. Certain things that have meaning, and that work? Definitely!