Home

Galleries

Movie Summaries

Radio Shows

News

Links

Email

Dr. Macro's
High
Quality
Movie Scans

Privacy Statement Visitor Agreement

ZaSu Pitts

 

 

THE BARGAIN OF THE CENTURY

 

Hal Roach Studios, 1933.  Directed by Charley Chase.  Camera:  Art Lloyd.  With ZaSu Pitts, Thelma Todd, Billy Gilbert, James P. Burtis, Frank Alexander, Harry Bernard, Fay Holderness, May Wallace.

Directed by Hal Roach Studio comic Charley Chase, this two-reeler is considered by many to be the best of the 16 Thelma Todd-ZaSu Pitts comedies.  Having caused police officer James Burtis to lose his job, the girls invite him to stay in their apartment.  They hope to reinstate their friend in the police force by buttering up a police captain (Billy Gilbert) who, unbeknownst to them, is really the notorious smuggler Herr Schmaltz.  The farce hits bull's-eye in a scene where the girls and Burtis attempt to force-feed ice cream to Schmaltz.  In his best German accent, dialectician Gilbert politely refuses with a heartfelt "Zank you, but I don't vant anymore ice crrream."  Moments later, the poor man is pleading for his life, "Vith tears in my eyes, I beg you...NO MORE ICE CREAM!"

AllMovie