Smith and Dale were two Jewish guys who wanted to get into show business and did it on the cheap. They got their stage names by buying some business cards "Smith & Dale" which hadn't been picked up by the guys who had ordered them. Their stage act included the carpenters who put together their sets, and who would forgo payment in return for being part of the act. And their act was composed of bits and pieces picked up over the years, about two cheap chiselers who hated the world -- and who hated and tried to chisel each other worse.
They were hilarious.
Comedy is all about timing and they had the timing to put anything over. If you look at this Paramount one-reeler, in which they play two shady real estate operators, you'll see them bounce their gags off other actors as if they were mere props, but they engage with each other. The gags are awful and probably can be found in Joe Miller's joke book, but they run them past each other as if they are fresh and real.
Because the jokes here are so bad, I can't really recommend this one, but if you want to see them at the top of their game, try to find a recording of them doing their "Doctor Kronkheit" routine, or look at the insane absurdity of WHAT PRICE PANTS and then go looking for their other efforts.
They were hilarious.
Comedy is all about timing and they had the timing to put anything over. If you look at this Paramount one-reeler, in which they play two shady real estate operators, you'll see them bounce their gags off other actors as if they were mere props, but they engage with each other. The gags are awful and probably can be found in Joe Miller's joke book, but they run them past each other as if they are fresh and real.
Because the jokes here are so bad, I can't really recommend this one, but if you want to see them at the top of their game, try to find a recording of them doing their "Doctor Kronkheit" routine, or look at the insane absurdity of WHAT PRICE PANTS and then go looking for their other efforts.
