In the 1920s and 30s, the Hal Roach Studio specialized in making two-reel shorts (about 15-20 minutes in length). However, their business model changed in the late 1930. They dropped two-reelers (as well as the actors who were in them, such as Laurel & Hardy and Charley Chase). Now, instead, they started making B-movies...short ones at that they dubbed 'Streamliners' and were about 50 minutes each.
In the case of "Brooklyn Orchid", Roach decided to remake one of their two-reelers (the Lauren & Hardy vehicle, "Come Clean") as a 50 minute film. But instead of the original comedy due, they cast Joe Sawyer and William Bendix, two supporting actors in the leads.
Tim and Eddie (Bendix and Sawyer) own a taxi company and are very successful. Despite their wealth and Tim's wife's plans of becoming part of high society, they are essentially mugs with little culture or breeding.
Tim and Eddie decide to test out their new fishing rods and reels. Eddie manages to hook a big one...a woman! It seems that Lucy had just tried to kill herself and they saved her. Now here's where it gets dopey...she insists since they saved her life, she 'belongs' to them and won't leave them. Surely Tim's wife won't like this! And what about Eddie's fiancee? So what's next? Yep, the woman ends up meeting the ladies and hangs out with them!
The sad thing about "Brooklyn Orchid" is that it isn't a bad film, BUT you can't help but think that the Laurel & Hardy film was better. It's a shame, as it's a pleasant little movie despite this. Bendix and Sawyer were very capable and engaging.
In the case of "Brooklyn Orchid", Roach decided to remake one of their two-reelers (the Lauren & Hardy vehicle, "Come Clean") as a 50 minute film. But instead of the original comedy due, they cast Joe Sawyer and William Bendix, two supporting actors in the leads.
Tim and Eddie (Bendix and Sawyer) own a taxi company and are very successful. Despite their wealth and Tim's wife's plans of becoming part of high society, they are essentially mugs with little culture or breeding.
Tim and Eddie decide to test out their new fishing rods and reels. Eddie manages to hook a big one...a woman! It seems that Lucy had just tried to kill herself and they saved her. Now here's where it gets dopey...she insists since they saved her life, she 'belongs' to them and won't leave them. Surely Tim's wife won't like this! And what about Eddie's fiancee? So what's next? Yep, the woman ends up meeting the ladies and hangs out with them!
The sad thing about "Brooklyn Orchid" is that it isn't a bad film, BUT you can't help but think that the Laurel & Hardy film was better. It's a shame, as it's a pleasant little movie despite this. Bendix and Sawyer were very capable and engaging.