8mm Forum: Southern Exposure

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Posted by Michael Scheck (Member # 114) on January 06, 2005, 09:57 AM:

This is a Charley Chase sound short made in the Hal Roach Studio in 1935, directed by Charles Parrott.

In my humble opinion, it's one of Charley's best films! It is very funny as he discovers his hillbilly-relatives from far south. It contains one song (probably written by Chase himself), one soft-shoe dance (perfomed by Chase), Chase plays a double role: That of his usual Charley-caracter and that of "Pappy", Charleys seventy-year-old uncle. And you wouldn't recognize him if you wouldn't know!
AND: Chase himself directed the short ("Charles Parrott" was his real name)!

"Southern Exposure" is a true Charley-Chase-showcase which proves the comic genius of this great forgotten comedian! In my opinion he was one of the best; his name deserved to stand next to Chaplins, Keatons, Laurels and Lloyds!

Blackhawk Films printed several Chase shorts, including "Southern Exposure".
Look out for it on Ebay, it shows up every once and again.

The print quality of this one is quite good. Its a tad too contrasty, which hinders me to write "very good". However, the image is sharp and clean, and the sound quality is very good.

There are other Chase shorts issued by Blackhawk where the contrast IS better - but it is this particular one that contains the essential Chase - together maybe with "His Wooden Wedding", "Mighty Like a Moose", "The Heckler" (from Columbia), "The Count Takes the Count" or "Poker at Eight"!

Michael Scheck

Posted by Tony Stucchio (Member # 519) on September 21, 2010, 06:45 PM:

Just watched this one again the other night -- I've had the print for over 30 years, but probably hadn't run it for at least 5. For the first 3 or 4 minutes, the picture quality is pretty good, but then it loses contrast when Charley is on the train singing "The Sun-Sun-Sunny South."

Having seen about half the Chase/Roach sound shorts now that TCM shows them, I think this is one of his funniest! It maintains a great pace throughout, with many laughs. Watch for a cameo by Alfalfa from Our Gang. And "The Sun-Sun-Sunny South" is a very catchy tune that you will find yourself singing or humming after the short ends.

For some reason, almost every print I've seen for sale of this one comes on two 200 foot reels. I've spliced mine onto a 400 footer and it fits nicely without a hint of spill-over.

Posted by Gary Crawford (Member # 67) on September 22, 2010, 09:13 AM:

A great short...but now I realize why I only have run it once or twice in the 25 years I've owned it. The picture quality is really not very good..and I hate to show something to an audience that I have to apologize or make excuses for.

Posted by Tony Stucchio (Member # 519) on September 22, 2010, 06:07 PM:

Gary,

You must have a tough audience!
[Big Grin]

Does yours change quality mid-film as I described?

thanks

Posted by Brad Kimball (Member # 5) on September 22, 2010, 11:20 PM:

I wish more Chase stuff was on YouTube. I've seen so little of his work.

Posted by Tony Stucchio (Member # 519) on September 23, 2010, 05:05 PM:

There used to be more stuff on youtube, but I think it was removed.
Also, there is a porn star with the same name, which makes it hard to find the real Charley now.

TCM shows his stuff from time-to-time. A few weeks ago a bunch was shown.

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on September 24, 2010, 05:59 PM:

My favorites; POKER AT EIGHT, PIP FROM PITTSBURGH, NICKEL NURSER, NOW WE'LL TELL ONE, THE COUNT TAKES THE COUNT, others of course, Shorty

Posted by Gary Crawford (Member # 67) on September 27, 2010, 10:48 AM:

Just accidently erased a long drawn out post about Chase...so now I'm going to make it short. Seeing some of his Roach stuff on TV in the late 50's and early 60's., I found them dull and uninteresting compared to the Laurel and Hardy films that same station would show ....BUT when they started showing these films every year at the Columbus Cinevent and Syracuse Cinefest, with an audience....including the silents, I was totally bowled over by the cleverness...the inventiveness..the outright whackyness of some of these Chase shorts. And I started collecting them.... I must have 30 or more...and I'm finding even the Columbia's to be at least amusing and at best hilarious. The Heckler....a huge audience favorite every time I show it. I just screened a few days ago a British print...cannot remember if it was Walton or Derann...of one Chase short I have never seen...Another Wild Idea.....just the strangest little short with two tremendous songs... I just replaced my well worn Standard 8mm sound print of Nature in the Wrong....with a nice 16mm.....my wife and I still quote the ape in that film whenever we hear bad music or singing.." I Love the Classics". And I think The Wrong Miss Wright, a Columbia, ranks up there with the very very best. Funnier to me than its silent ancestor , Crazy Like a Fox. I'll be bringing with me to Wildwood to sell, my 16mm of another funny Columbia, Calling All Doctors. I could go on and on about this inventive comedians films.......and I have, haven't I? See you , Shorty..and others up in Wildwood...I hope.

Posted by Tony Stucchio (Member # 519) on September 27, 2010, 07:02 PM:

I'd love to go to Wildwood, but:

I'm in the doghouse
and I can't go out tonight!
[Big Grin]

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