Not particularly funny--and that's bad when it is supposed to be a comedy.

As the other review states, this is an excellent quality print--especially for a silent film.

The film begins with Snub Pollard employed as a House Detective at a hotel. However, he makes a nuisance of himself and is rightfully fired. Why, then, moments later does the ex-boss make him a fire inspector working for the hotel, I have no idea--a serious weakness of the film.

As a fire inspector, Snub is over-zealous and once again, gets himself into trouble. However, one situation that he's not responsible for is a crazed husband out to kill him because the old fire inspector was flirting with the man's wife. This results in some chases and the old cliché of wildly firing a gun (where, of course, no one is hit). This scene of a man firing madly was common in older Sennett comedies, so I am surprised that as late as 1926 anyone was still doing this.

When a real fire breaks out, Snub runs to the scene and the angry husband is soon forgotten. Snub's efforts to put out the fire are really lame and the film, thankfully, ends.

Sadly, while Snub could be very funny, the Weiss Brothers comedies I've seen that he's made look as if the studio was using third-rate gag men as writers. FIRE!! doesn't seem to have a single genuine laugh and I was amazed at how so much potential was wasted.

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.

Leslie Nielsen in The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)

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)

At the Sans Scruples Hotel, the house fire inspector has to steer clear of a vamp and her jealous husband, and put out a fire to win the girl.

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Fire!!

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