Starring: Charles 'Chic' Sale, Bud Jamison, George 'Gabby' Hayes, Charlie Hall, Monte Collins, and Phil Dunham
Director: Mark Sandrich
Rating: Seven of Ten Stars
A small-town rail crossing and switch operator (Sale) must fight off a couple of robbers (Hall and Jamison) and stop two trains from colliding on the track.
"A Slip at the Switch" is an early action-comedy featuring a cast who got their start appearing in silent movies. It's a fast-paced little film where gags and slapstick action are flying fast and furiously from the very beginning of the first scene to the final moment.
It's easy to see why Charles Sale was a pop culture sensation during the late 1920s until his untimely death in 1937. He is hilarious as the tenacious and brave, but dimwitted, railway worker, playing the part with perfect comedic timing and lots of energy. Sale also has a screen presence that almost overwhelms that of Bud Jamison who plays a surprisingly intimidating bad guy.
"A Slip at the Switch" is one of six short films included on "Ultra-Rare Pre-Code Comedies Vol 3" from Alpha Video. The footage from which the transfer was made was in decent shape which will make it even more enjoyable for you to take some 13-wellspent minutes to watch this one.
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