The Passionate Plumber

Judging from the scene excerpted in Kevin Brownlow and David Gill’s documentary Buster Keaton: A Hard Act to Follow, this 1932 feature is a disheartening example of how the great comedian was misused and abused at MGM. Though he shared star billing, Keaton plays second fiddle to Jimmy Durante, whose aggressive verbal comedy overwhelms his more subtle silent style. Edward Sedgwick directed this adaptation of the stage comedy Her Cardboard Lover; among the supporting players are Irene Purcell, Gilbert Roland, and Polly Moran. 73 min. (JR)

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