So You Won’t T-T-T-Talk

So You Won’t T-T-T-Talk – a short Vitaphone comedy starring Roscoe Ates and Shemp Howard who go on a camping trip …

So You Won’t T-T-T-Talk (1934) starring Roscoe Ates, Shemp Howard

Overview

“So You Won’t T-T-T-Talk” is a Vitaphone comedy short from 1934, directed by Lloyd French. It stars Roscoe Ates, known for his stuttering comedic style, alongside Shemp Howard, Billie Leonard, and Ruth Gillette. It was produced by Warner Brothers’ Vitaphone division.

Plot

The story follows a hen-pecked husband (Roscoe Ates) who takes his shrewish wife, her obnoxious younger brother, and their boorish neighbors (Shemp Howard and Billie Leonard) on a weekend camping trip. What begins as a seemingly pleasant getaway quickly turns into a comedy of errors, featuring:

• slapstick with an uncooperative tent
• a lazy and oblivious husband
• a troublesome child (frankly a brat)
• and even a skunk.

The humor relies heavily on Roscoe Ates’ stuttering gag, which was a common comedic device of the era. In my opinion, it gets very old very quickly. You can watch it for yourself online for free at TubiTV.

Cast of characters

• Roscoe Ates (What! No Beer?) … Elmer Whipple
• Shemp Howard (Salt Water Daffy😉 … Henry
• Billie Leonard … Mamie
• Ruth Gillette … Betty Whipple
• Jackie Kelk … Junior
• Donald MacBride (Room Service; Topper Returns)… Angry Neighbor(uncredited)

Songs

• K-K-K-Katy
  • Written by Geoffrey O’Hara
  • Played during the opening credits
  • Played as Elmer’s theme
• Pretty Baby
  • Music by Egbert Van Alstyne and Tony Jackson
  • Played when Elmer is flipping the plate
• The Skaters
• Music by Emil Waldteufel
  • Played when Elmer drops the plate
• A-Hunting We Will Go
  • Traditional
  • Played as they prepare to leave for the country
• Please Go ‘way and Let Me Sleep
  • Music by James T. Brymn
  • Played when Henry lies down for a nap
• Frühlingslied (Spring Song) Op. 62 No. 6
  • Music by Felix Mendelssohn
  • Played when Mamie flubs the knot
• William Tell Overture
  • Music by Gioachino Rossini
  • Played when Junior fires the slingshot at Bettie and Mamie, and then Henry
• In the Good Old Summertime
  • Music by George Evans
  • Played at the end