Soup to Nuts (1930)

IMDb plot summary: Mr. Schmidt's costume store is bankrupt because he spends his time on Rube Goldberg-style inventions. The creditors send a young manager who falls for Schmidt's niece Louise, but she'll have none of him. Schmidt's friends Ted, Queenie, and some goofy firemen try to help out, and things come to a slapstick head when Louise needs rescuing from a fire.

Directed by Benjamin Stoloff. Starring Ted Healy, Charles Winninger, and Frances McCoy.

Soup to Nuts is a 1930 film about a costume shop going through some managerial changes that wreak some havoc among the workers and owner's family. It's notable for being the film debut of the three comedians who would go on to form the Three Stooges, although at this time they were working as a foursome with Ted Healey. Aside from that historically interesting note, there's not a lot about this movie that stands out. While it's billed as a comedy, a lot of the family and business drama is played pretty straight and take up most of the film, and it's a little jarring to see these goofy slapstick comedians come in, do a little gag, and then move on. Our dramatic leads are tropey but likable enough. It just doesn't do a lot to settle into either the comedy or the drama, and they don't blend together well, so it all ends up kind of mushing together. Disappointing.

How it entered my Flickchart:

Soup to Nuts < David Copperfield (1935)

Soup to Nuts > American Sniper

Soup to Nuts < The Fourth Kind

Soup to Nuts < The Autopsy of Jane Doe

Soup to Nuts > Independence Day

Soup to Nuts > The Witches of Eastwick

Soup to Nuts > Blue is the Warmest Color

Soup to Nuts < Water for Elephants

Soup to Nuts > Resident Evil

Soup to Nuts < Father of the Bride (1950)

Soup to Nuts > Roman J. Israel, Esq.

Soup to Nuts > Hurlyburly

Final spot: #2798 out of 4041, or 31%.