Charley Chase: At Hal Roach: The Talkies Volume One 1930-31

I patiently watched as Hallmark issued the 1930-1936 Hal Roach "Our Gang" comedies [great quality - original nitrate prints]? I patiently watched [and really enjoyed!] the late 1990s "Lost films of Laurel and Hardy [again - most taken from the original nitrate negatives]. Subsequently, I have seen various firms issue various Hal Roach material - not always using the best available surviving sources. As a youth, I remember seeing the 1930s Columbia comedy shorts on tv in the early 1960s - a "golden" period for viewing Columbia's short subject stars such as Andy Clyde, Arthur Kennedy, Hugh Herbert, Leon Errol, the Three Stooges - - and Charley Chase. The early talkies of Hal Roach Studios (1929-1936) were not shown on tv with the only exceptions being edited versions of the our Gang comedies - now distributed as "The Little Rascals - and severely edited versions of Laurel and Hardy [Stan commented on how he couldn't enjoy watching these films on tv - he had taken great pride in the original editing process, creating films that flowed, that made sense. During the past 15 years on TCM, I have very rarely stumbled on unscheduled, unannounced Roach Studio films - usually inserted between feature films as filler - - wonderful films of Pitt-Todd, Todd-Kelly, Charley Chase, The taxi boys, The Boy friends, etc. - - invariably pristine prints obviously taken from original nitrate negatives. I thus knew that these films existed (and in top notch, sharp, clear, non-blurry, unedited for 1960s tv versions) - - so continued to wait [no longer as patiently!) . We (everyone - and this includes the Laurel & Hardy Sons of the Desert members worldwide, as well as everyone who had once enjoyed their films) have FINALLY had our voices heard. I finally have seen - at the age of 70 - films I have wanted to see for over 55 years. I sincerely hope that this company - Sprocket - will continue to issue other high quality [films mainly printed from original nitrate negatives] form the wonderful Hal Roach archives. Please continue to issue the 1933-1935 Chase films, films featuring Harry Landon, Clyde Cook, Arthur Kennedy, Max Division, and other films by wonderful, sometimes almost-forgotten comedians. Heck - Roach even issued a film that starred Oliver Hardy and Anna May Wong! What other vault discoveries remain unknown, unfairly gathering dust? Although many of these films still exist in the form of original nitrate negatives - these fragile negatives will not last indefinitely as I have heard that almost 70-80% of silent films have disappeared (nitrate film negatives gradually will decompose simply while being stored in film cans). If these films still exist, it is time for these films to be preserved, for these films to be given a second life as DVDs.

Enjoyable physical comedy. Chase may be a cut below Laurel & Hardy, but still very funny. Makes good use of the advent of sound, with some of his musical novelties. (Charlie was an able musician, ranging from guitar to kazoo.)And Thelma Todd was one of the all-time beauties.

When most people hear the name Hal Roach, they usually think of those great 1930s comedies with Laurel and Hardy and The Little Rascals. But the Roach Studio had other noteworthy comedians under contract during the same period, one of whom was the very original and very funny Charley Chase.Chase's career started with Mack Sennett in the teens and hit its stride during the '20s at Roach, where he starred in his own series of comedy shorts that were quite popular with audiences. Chase successfully made the transition to talkies continuing with his "comedy of embarrassment" premise that also includes a fair share of slapstick. As gags go, Chase was a master of timing, and some of his predicaments involve mature subject matter with a delightful, pre-Code edge.The Sprocket Vault has made available 17 of Charley Chase's Hal Roach comedies from 1930-31 on two DVDs, all transferred from the finest 35mm prints available. Appearing with Chase are many familiar faces from the Roach stock company, the most famous being the beautiful and talented Thelma Todd. The on-screen chemistry between Charley and Thelma makes the shorts in which they co-star among the best of the lot. One that's generally regarded as Chase's best sound film is THE PIP FROM PITTSBURG (1931), with Charley being coaxed into what he thinks will be a disastrous blind date, then flipping out when it turns out to be Thelma. Indeed, while watching a short that teams Chase with another leading lady, you feel yourself missing the charming Miss Todd. Still, the films are pretty darn funny, especially ONE OF THE SMITHS (1931), which has a truly hilarious sequence in the berth of a train with Charley and a tuba.Each short in this volume is accompanied with audio commentary by film historian Richard M. Roberts, who offers his vast knowledge of key players both in front of and behind the camera. Extras include the Spanish version of THE PIP FROM PITTSBURG called LA SEÑORITA DE CHICAGO, and a poster and stills gallery. Fans of classic comedy will be elated with this wonderful, long overdue release.Hopefully we'll see a second volume, but to better insure there is one, don't hesitate picking up this highly recommended collection.

Bought this about 3 weeks ago and have watched all the content. This is the best thing I have found all year. I have watched and loved the Laurel and Hardy Hal Roach talkies for years. I assumed the rest of the Roach Studio output as below this standard but this set is just as good, in my humble opinion. Chase's comedy and worlds are often different for L&H but in its own way it is just as satisfying. Many of the supporting actors seen in L&H show up in these shorts, Finlayson, Charlie Hall and the incomparable Thelma Todd. The shorts are complex, clever, and just plain funny. I love this stuff! The set is great -- films are sharp and clear, sound is great, and the entire output of two years is represented (except for the foreign language versions, but there is a Spanish version of the great "The Pip From Pittsburgh" here as an extra. Also as an extra is a commentary on every film by co-producer and silent film comedy expert Richard M. Roberts. Roberts' commentary is highly eccentric and somewhat screwball at times as he veers in and out of multiple career reviews as actors come and go in the films, but one cannot deny the commentary is extremely informative. But get this for the work of Charley Chase -- it is so darned good! Thank you Sonar and Kit Parker and Mr. Roberts! Please put out a volume two of these ASAP!

If You are a fan of Charlie Chase, then this collection is for You, I really enjoyed it, and very good quality for old films, Sprocket vault has done a great job!!!

DVD's like this are worth every penny, Charley Chase is probably forgotten by most people today, but his kind of comedy is timeless and how wonderful that it has been perpetuated on DVD for current and future generations to enjoy! This goes for all the films of long gone eras, their quality is timeless! Full marks to Amazon for making then available!