Be Reasonable - 1921

Country: United States

Director: Roy Del Ruth

Stars: Billy Bevan, Mildred June and Eddie Gribbon

Release Date: 12 December 1921 (USA)

Production Co: Mack Sennett Comedies

Sound Mix: Silent

Color: Black and White

Genres: Comedy | Short

Silent comic Billy Bevan looked like a cross between Chaplin's Little Tramp and the Thompson Twins (from the Tin Tin books, not the 1980's electro-poppers). In this reasonably funny two-reeler, he plays a sad sack who gets doused by the world's fullest watering can and then tries to weedle his way into the heart of a bathing beauty (Mildred June) via the unusual means of a submarine periscope. He's also presented with the opportunity to rescue Fifi the Dog from drowning, as the regular lifeguard (Eddie Gribbon) is an over-muscled knucklehead who rides his bicycle into the waves. There's a hilarious sequence featuring Billy wearing pillows for shoes and a rip-roaring chase scene with dozens of coppers in pursuit of our hero. All in all, Be Reasonable is an ever so slightly above average Mack Sennett production guaranteed, at the very least, to bring a smile to your face.