skiddoo Review of Parlor, Bedroom and Bath

Parlor, Bedroom and Bath (1931)

very funny physical comedy at the hotel

[5/10 · 29 January 2010]

I laughed out loud during the hotel part of this movie, which had a Marx Brothers feel to it--I could picture Harpo pursuing the silly bored wife as she ran squealing around the room. Of course it needed the explanation of the rest but I wouldn't have minded seeing the hotel as a separate movie short. The rough wooing was crazy and risqué. Charlotte Greenwood contributed greatly to the madness and the part where Buster tries to get her into the closet, at one point with his head under her legs, well... I've never seen anything like it even during a game of Twister. I'm not a big fan of slapstick but this was silly, and at times included things that in later years probably would have been censored, and I enjoyed it. I was having a bad day and this made me laugh so I gave it five stars for that. Whether it was vintage Buster Keaton or not didn't concern me. What mattered to me was it made me feel better. Some reviewers said save your money and don't watch it. I say watch it online for free and if you want, skip the first part and go right to the funny stuff at the end. If you are an avid Keaton fan, this wouldn't be for you. If you aren't, you might like it.