The earliest widely used sound system for movies was one first used by Warner Brothers with "The Jazz Singer"...and a few other studios also used the same sytem. But it soon was replaced. Why? Because the sound came on a separate record that needed to be played as the film was played. There were three big problems with the system. First, synchronizing the record with the projector wasn't easy and often the sound lagged or preceded the action. Second, the discs wore out VERY fast...sometimes after less than a dozen playings! Third, the records OFTEN got separated from the film and by about 1990, hundreds or perhaps thousands of films existed in part...with either the film or the record. But since the internet, collectors and respositories across the world have been communicating...sharing what they had in order to reunite the discs with the films. Hundreds or more such cases have occurred...which is wonderful for old movie buffs.

Unfortunately, "Great Gobs!" and "Stepping Out", two of Charley's shorts, have suffered this fate. The sound disc is missing and someone recently added captions and music. And, both films actually manage to work pretty well as silents!

In "Great Gobs!", Charley and Edgar Kennedy are sailors on shore leave in Mexico. Edgar serenades a pretty lady...and you have no idea if he can sing well or not due to the missing sound! Regardless, he and Charley soon begin fighting over the girl. Soon, however, the woman's husband comes over...and the pair are sent packing. And, again and again through the film, the pair try to outdo each other in picking up women...with little success.

Of the two, "Great Gobs!" suffers the most from the lack of sound. However, it still works and manages to be better than many of Charley Chase's sound films. It makes you wish he and Edgar had done a few more co-starring films together.

The comedy genre refers to a category of entertainment that aims to amuse and entertain audiences by using humor, wit, and comedic situations. Comedies are created with the primary intention of eliciting laughter and providing lighthearted enjoyment. They encompass a wide range of styles, tones, and themes, appealing to various tastes and audiences.

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The short form refers to creative works characterized by their brevity and concise storytelling. Unlike full-length feature films, short films have a running time of less than 45 minutes, while TV shorts have a running time of less than 22 minutes.

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Charley and Edgar on shore leave in Mexico, fight for the affection of a pretty senorita.

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Charley Chase, Warren Doane, Anders Randolf, Hal Roach, and Thelma Todd in Snappy Sneezer (1929)

Charley Chase, Eugenia Gilbert, and Hal Roach in There Ain't No Santa Claus (1926)

Dolores Brinkman, Charley Chase, Anita Garvin, Dell Henderson, Tenen Holtz, Carl Stockdale, and Thelma Todd in Whispering Whoopee (1930)

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Charley Chase and Linda Loredo in Great Gobs (1929)

Great Gobs

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