This short comedy is clever and very entertaining, with enough good turns and details that it remains just as enjoyable when watching it over again. Roscoe Arbuckle (directing under the pseudonym that he used when he was blacklisted) shows a sure touch in combining some of the best silent movie techniques with some resourceful sound-oriented gags.
Al St. John stars as a husband who loses his composure over a marathon bridge tournament that involves his wife. The first part follows a crucial portion of the game, which involves Fern Emmett, as St. John's wife, and Billy Bletcher, as a radio announcer. There are some very funny moments, and Bletcher is particularly good in parodying some of the habits of sports broadcasters. But the second part of the movie, which is dominated by St. John as his character finally snaps, is even funnier.
Arbuckle certainly knew St. John well, from their family relationship and from their many movies together, and here he manages to bring out the best in him. The last few minutes of this feature might just be St. John's best comic performance, as his character is increasingly frenzied, yet with a bizarre sense of purpose. It's combined with the continued off-screen commentary by Bletcher as the announcer, and at times the two are harmonized in some very clever ways. Emmett also has some amusing reactions to St. John's antics.
Arbuckle, the writers, and the cast all deserve a lot of credit. This feature has very good pacing and timing, which were both relatively rare in the first few years of sound pictures. Arbuckle uses a lot of silent movie-style gags, making them work nicely in the sound format, and he adds a number of new ideas as well. "Bridge Wives" is a light but very funny comedy.
Al St. John stars as a husband who loses his composure over a marathon bridge tournament that involves his wife. The first part follows a crucial portion of the game, which involves Fern Emmett, as St. John's wife, and Billy Bletcher, as a radio announcer. There are some very funny moments, and Bletcher is particularly good in parodying some of the habits of sports broadcasters. But the second part of the movie, which is dominated by St. John as his character finally snaps, is even funnier.
Arbuckle certainly knew St. John well, from their family relationship and from their many movies together, and here he manages to bring out the best in him. The last few minutes of this feature might just be St. John's best comic performance, as his character is increasingly frenzied, yet with a bizarre sense of purpose. It's combined with the continued off-screen commentary by Bletcher as the announcer, and at times the two are harmonized in some very clever ways. Emmett also has some amusing reactions to St. John's antics.
Arbuckle, the writers, and the cast all deserve a lot of credit. This feature has very good pacing and timing, which were both relatively rare in the first few years of sound pictures. Arbuckle uses a lot of silent movie-style gags, making them work nicely in the sound format, and he adds a number of new ideas as well. "Bridge Wives" is a light but very funny comedy.