Bargain of the Century

• Director: Charley Chase
• AMG Rating:
• Genre: Comedy
• Movie Type: Crime Comedy
• Themes: Assumed Identities
• Release Year: 1933
• Country: US

Plot

Directed by Hal Roach Studio comic Charlie Chase, this two-reeler is by many considered the best of the 16 Thelma Todd-ZaSu Pitts comedies. Having caused police officer James Burtis to lose his job, the girls invite him to stay in their apartment. They hope to reinstate their friends in the police force by buttering up a police captain (Billy Gilbert), who unbeknownst to them is in reality the notorious smuggler Herr Schmaltz. The farce hits bull's-eye in a scene where the girls and Burtis attempt to force feed Schmaltz with ice cream. In his best German accent, dialectician Gilbert politely refuses with a heartfelt "Zank you, but I don't vant anymore ice crrream." Moments later, the poor man is pleading for his life. "Vith tears in my eyes, I beg you...NO MORE ICE CREAM!" ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide

Cast

ZaSu Pitts; Thelma Todd

Credit

Charley Chase - Director, Hal Roach - Producer