SO WE SEE yet another attempt at expanding the MC DOAKESIAN reach into yet another realm. Without any fanfare, publicity or explanation, we open to find that Joe (George O'Hanlon) and Alice (Jane Frazee) have been transported back to Ancient Rome.
THE TREATMENT OF the subject matter is much in the same vein as was that of the Hanna-Barbera rendering of the animated series, THE FLINTSTONES, some 5 years later. The personalities remain the same, but the setting and time period are changed.
IN THE MIX as well is what one would expect from a Columbia Pictures THREE STOOGES Two Reeler. The time proved custom of having the modern institutions transported in anachronistic entireties was observed as we are treated to a Gladiators' Union Organizer (Phil Van Zandt( seeking sign-ups in the dressing room backstage at the Roman Coliseum.
AS HAS BEEN the practice, this entry did a bang-up job in the casting; this time with the additional burden of assigning Roman roles to those who usually took other parts. Joe, Alice and Homer (Jackson Wheeler) were pretty much the same. Rodney Bell (usually neighbor Marvin) was cast as the Emperor 'Nero'(????) and did a great job of hamming it up; with his characterization being sort of between a Charles Laughton impersonation and Victor Buono's "King Tut" on the BATMAN TV Series about 11 years later.
ADDITIONALLY, THE CAST had semi-regulars Creighton Hale, Fred Kelsey, Jack Mower and Murray Pollack.
WE MUST MAKE mention of the presence of all around fine general purpose actor John Doucette's portrayal as the master of gladiators. Mr. Doucette is to be found in almost every film type and on television. perhaps his biggest and most visible role was that of General Lucien Truscott in PATTON (20th Century-Fox, 1970).
AS FOR THE Verdict: Both Schultz and I think we've had funnier entries, but none so set in such widely removed an era or locale. ** 1/2 Stars.
THE TREATMENT OF the subject matter is much in the same vein as was that of the Hanna-Barbera rendering of the animated series, THE FLINTSTONES, some 5 years later. The personalities remain the same, but the setting and time period are changed.
IN THE MIX as well is what one would expect from a Columbia Pictures THREE STOOGES Two Reeler. The time proved custom of having the modern institutions transported in anachronistic entireties was observed as we are treated to a Gladiators' Union Organizer (Phil Van Zandt( seeking sign-ups in the dressing room backstage at the Roman Coliseum.
AS HAS BEEN the practice, this entry did a bang-up job in the casting; this time with the additional burden of assigning Roman roles to those who usually took other parts. Joe, Alice and Homer (Jackson Wheeler) were pretty much the same. Rodney Bell (usually neighbor Marvin) was cast as the Emperor 'Nero'(????) and did a great job of hamming it up; with his characterization being sort of between a Charles Laughton impersonation and Victor Buono's "King Tut" on the BATMAN TV Series about 11 years later.
ADDITIONALLY, THE CAST had semi-regulars Creighton Hale, Fred Kelsey, Jack Mower and Murray Pollack.
WE MUST MAKE mention of the presence of all around fine general purpose actor John Doucette's portrayal as the master of gladiators. Mr. Doucette is to be found in almost every film type and on television. perhaps his biggest and most visible role was that of General Lucien Truscott in PATTON (20th Century-Fox, 1970).
AS FOR THE Verdict: Both Schultz and I think we've had funnier entries, but none so set in such widely removed an era or locale. ** 1/2 Stars.
