Name: Sold at Auction!
Genre: Short, Comedy
Released: 1923-05-27
Duration: 22 min
Rating: 7.2
Cast: 'Snub' Pollard, Wally Howe, James Finlayson

Sold at Auction was a pretty funny Hal Roach silent short starring Snub Pollard

This Hal Roach comedy short I found on the "American Slapstick" DVD collection of rare silent comedies starts bizarre and has an anything goes-quality one rarely sees in Mr. Roach's output. It stars Snub Pollard who is initially introduced as a baby left on a doorstep before we see him fully grown about 20 or so years later still in that basket! From there, he gets bumped car to car crossing the street prior to getting literally thrown through a window as an auction is taking place! Also appearing is James Finlayson as a man who's items accidentally get sold. There's also some animated mosquitoes, a moving piano, and a lamppost that's not as sturdy as one thinks. Charley Chase's direction, which he did under his real surname Parrott, is mostly frenetic though not every thing depicted here is fall-on-your-knees hilarious. Still, Sold at Auction is pretty entertaining throughout so on that note, I highly recommend it.

The farce subgenre features exaggerated situations, slapstick humor, mistaken identities, and chaotic, rapid-fire events. Farces are known for their absurd and over-the-top comedic elements, often involving misunderstandings, physical comedy, and improbable scenarios.

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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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Snub gets a job helping an auctioneer. He's instructed to sell off a household estate, but goes to the wrong house. After everything is sold, the real owner returns, and forces Snub to track down all the buyers to restore the property.

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Jack Ackroyd, James Finlayson, Marie Mosquini, and 'Snub' Pollard in Sold at Auction! (1923)

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Sold at Auction!

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