Madness indeed and still a timely topic in view of recent tragedy...

This is a quite hilarious Pete Smith Specialty in which two housewives are determined to have first pick at a department store bargain sale, no matter how much tugging they have to do.

But what struck me was the scene showing the crowds waiting outside the store's doors awaiting access, pushing against the door windows and then stampeding into the store, knocking "Dorothy" to the ground while they stepped over her. In view of recent headlines about just such an event that ended tragically, it's hard not to call this sort of thing "madness." Funniest episode has an overweight woman determined to squeeze into a girdle with the clips returning to her every once in awhile as she tries on still another. It's a scene reminiscent of the Disney Cinderella's step-sisters trying to squeeze their big feet into a dainty glass slipper.

Plenty of amusing sight gags fill up the screen time, so it's a very enjoyable short subject with amusing sound effects as well punctuating the humorous aspects.

The satire subgenre uses humor, irony, exaggeration, and parody to critique and comment on various aspects of society, culture, politics, institutions, and human behavior. Satires aim to provoke thought, highlight absurdities, and expose hypocrisy by presenting familiar situations in a distorted or exaggerated manner. They entertain while also providing social commentary and encouraging viewers to reflect on the subjects being criticized.

Peter Sellers in Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

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.

Will Ferrell, Angela Grillo, and Lap-Gei Cheung in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

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.

Benedict Cumberbatch in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)

This Pete Smith Specialty is a humorous look at women battling for bargains in a department store.

Get a closer look at some of Hollywood's perfect pairs.

Hollywood Power Couples

Get a closer look at some of Hollywood&#39;s perfect pairs.

"The Gentlemen" and "Slow Horses" return this fall, while the "Reacher" spin-off series "Neagley" makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

2026 Fall TV and Streaming Watch Guide

&quot;The Gentlemen&quot; and &quot;Slow Horses&quot; return this fall, while the &quot;Reacher&quot; spin-off series &quot;Neagley&quot; makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

Get a closer look at these actors from their many TV and streaming series roles.

Streaming Stars, Then and Now

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Michele Dotrice, Sandor Elès, and Pamela Franklin in And Soon the Darkness (1970)

Bargain Madness

Photos1

Top Cast8

User reviews5

More like this

Related interests

Storyline

Top picks

Details

Tech specs

Contribute to this page

More to explore

Recently viewed