Snappy Sneezer
About Snappy Sneezer
Charley and Mary White meet on a train and agree to meet again at her house. On the platform a goat in a cage chews the seat out of his trousers. On the streetcar his hay fever starts. He sneezes on a passenger who turns out to be Mary's father, Mr. White, and the man ruins Charley's straw hat sneeze by sneeze. Charley buys a new hat and arrives at the Whites'. He sneezes on Mary, then realizes the "old pelican" from the streetcar is her father. She still wants to take him for a drive. Mr. White gives in and tells her to get in and drive.
Cast & crew
More about Snappy Sneezer
Warren Doane directed. Leo McCarey wrote the story and H. M. Walker the titles. Hal Roach presented it. George Stevens photographed, Richard C. Currier edited, and Elmer Raguse recorded the sound. Filming was May 25–30, 1929. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer released the talkie on July 29, 1929, and also put out a silent version the same year. The working title was Hay Fever. Production number C-23.
Themes
Making
Roach was issuing Chase shorts in both sound and silent that summer. This one keeps the silent-comedy build, a nuisance that follows a stranger from streetcar to parlor, and adds recorded dialogue.
Look
George Stevens shot the station, the streetcar, and the White house. The boom shadow in the opening is visible on Chase's shirt.
Music
Western Electric Vitaphone discs carry the dialogue and effects. Silent prints were issued with titles by H. M. Walker and no recorded track.
Preservation
The picture survives with its Vitaphone discs. Silent Era lists it as public domain in the United States.
Notes
- Charley Chase plays Charley. Thelma Todd is Mary White. Anders Randolf is Mr. White.
- Charlie Hall is one of the streetcar passengers. Eddie Dunn plays a ditch digger.
- Silent Era says the Vitaphone discs survive with the picture.
- A microphone boom throws a shadow across Charley's chest in the station scene.
- Lord Heath dates the release July 27, 1929. Silent Era dates it July 29.
- The film is in the public domain in the United States.
Scenes
- A caged goat eats the seat of Charley's trousers at the station.
- He sneezes down the streetcar while Mr. White demolishes his hat.
- Mary begs her father to let her drive the sneezer out of the house.
Quotes
But Daddy, this is the nice young man I was telling you about and I want to take him for a ride.
Alright, you get in there and drive it.
