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Speak Easily
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Wikipedia article
'Speak Easily' is a 1932 American pre-Code comedy film starring Buster Keaton, Jimmy Durante, and Thelma Todd, and directed by Edward Sedgwick. The studio also paired Keaton and Durante as a comedy team during this period in 'The Passionate Plumber' and 'What! No Beer?' Keaton later used many of the physical gags he created for this film when he wrote (uncredited) gags for the Marx Brothers' 'A Night At The Opera'.
The film is in the public domain, as the copyright was not renewed.
Plot
, Thelma Todd, and Jimmy Durante in 'Speak Easily' (1932)
Professor Post is a shy Classics professor at Potts College, who has lived a sheltered life and has little experience of life outside of academia. Feeling that the professor should see more of the real world, his assistant tricks the professor into thinking that he has inherited $750,000, allowing the professor to leave academia and see the world.
Boarding a train bound for New York City, Prof. Post encounters James, the manager of a dancing troupe that has an engagement in the backwater town of Fish's Switch. The professor becomes infatuated with one of the dancers, Pansy Peets, and accidentally alights at Fish's Switch when attempting to learn her name. He attends a performance by the dancing troupe at the local theatre, and is impressed by their act.
Feeling that the troupe should continue their act, the professor finances the troupe and takes them to perform on Broadway, but only after James insists that the act be improved to a higher standard. Post's suggestions of using inspiration from Ancient Greece are taken on board, with some minor alterations, and the show is turned into a grandiose musical revue. Although Post wishes that Pansy be the leading lady, the show is quickly turned into a star-vehicle for spoiled actress Eleanor Espere, who attempts to win over the professor in order to take total control over both the show and the money it is expected to earn at its debut. Pansy attempts to warn the professor of Eleanor's bad influence, with mixed results.
On the night of the show's debut, James discovers that Prof. Post does not really have the $750,000 he believes to possess and attempts to keep him away from the production for fear of ruining it. The professor stumbles on-stage at several points, amusing the audience who think it to be part of the act, and ensuring the success of the show. However, his antics cause Eleanor to throw a tantrum, and Prof. Post is finally able to admit his love to Pansy.
Cast (in credits order)
*Buster Keaton as Professor Post
*Jimmy Durante as James
*Ruth Selwyn as Pansy Peets
*Thelma Todd as Eleanor Espere
*Hedda Hopper as Mrs Peets
*William Pawley as Griffo
*Sidney Toler as Stage Director
*Lawrence Grant as Dr Bolton
*Henry Armetta as Tony
*Edward Brophy as Reno
Home media
'Speak Easily' exists in several versions on US DVD: from Alpha Video in 2004, from Synergy Ent. in 2007, from Reel Classics in 2007 and 2008, and in a double-bill with 'Steamboat Bill, Jr.' from East West Entertainment. The first ever DVD release in the UK is from Powis Square Pictures in January 2009.
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