This film stars Ford Sterling, a name pretty much forgotten today. Sterling got his start with Keystone Studio in the early days of Hollywood and was a big name with the studio. However, over the years, his prestige declined and by the early 1930s he was making shorts, like this one, for RKO.

 "Trouble from Abroad" begins with the Sergeant (Sterling) and the Captain (Lucien Littlefield) discussing their wartime exploits with the ladies. They're thinking about this because their old army unit is having a reunion...and their wives have an idea of the sort of monkey business they're prepared to do. The Sergeant has a reputation as a Cassanova...and his wife isn't about to let me have fun and spend time chasing the ladies. However, when his old romance, Fifi, shows up...who knows what's next??

 While not a bad film, the story idea for the film is strong but the comedy is weak. Frankly, it's watchable and enjoyable but light on laughs.

Note: The IMDB summary refers to the woman as Renee. Her name was FIfi!

The slapstick comedy subgenre, a term that originates from a type of wooden paddle with a hinged flap that was used in early comedic performances to create slapping noises during comedic actions, is a form of physical comedy characterized by exaggerated, boisterous, and often absurd actions, situations, and physical interactions. Slapstick humor relies on visual gags, physical stunts, and exaggerated movements to create laughs.

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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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In "Trouble from Abroad" Ford Sterling and Lucien Littlefield get a load of trouble from a broad who is indeed from abroad. They slip away from their wives to attend a reunion with their A.E.F. buddies from World War One. The main attraction at the gathering turns out to be Renee, the company "sweetheart" in Paris in 1918. It doesn't take them long to figure out their wives aren't going to be very happy if they have a reunion with Rene.

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Broadway Headliners (1931-1932) (#1): Trouble from Abroad

RKO Studios - 780 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Trouble from Abroad

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