Name: While the Cat's Away
Genre: Comedy, Short
Released: 1936-01-04
Duration: 22 min
Rating: 6.8
Cast: Shemp Howard, John Berkes, Anita Garvin

Director Lloyd French had spent a good many years at the Hal Roach studio, so it's hardly surprising to find that this Vitaphone short borrows extensively from from two Laurel & Hardy shorts -- HELPMATES and UNACCUSTOMED AS WE ARE. While Shemp Howard is, as always, Shemp Howard, Johnny Berkes' performance is clearly modeled on Stan Laurel. There's even Anita Garvin on hand.

As a Laurel & Hardy fan I find it a bit unnerving to see some of the routines reused, but Shemp, although best as a supporting comic, certainly knows how to handle rough-and-ready comedy. His means of mixing hair of the dog is funny and he certainly keeps busy. Berkes, in contrast, just walks through his role, careful not to get in anyone's way and waiting for the payoff gag. The result is a good if not stellar comedy.

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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When their wives call to announce that they are coming home from vacation a week early, two drunk husbands need to sober up and straighten up their apartment.

Shemp Howard in While the Cat's Away (1936)

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Big V Comedies (1935-1936 season) #7: While the Cat's Away

John Berkes and Shemp Howard in While the Cat's Away (1936)

Anita Garvin in While the Cat's Away (1936)

While the Cat's Away

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