Let's Do Things

Although Hal Roach Studios is known for its Laurel & Hardy films, the studio also made a variety of shorts starring other, lesser known acts. Charley Chase, the Boy Friends and the Little Rascals also made many shorts for Roach. They also tried making a string of female duo comedies--though the composition kept changing and no consistent line-up ever resulted. First, they tried Zasu Pitts and Thelma Todd....and Zasu left and was replaced by Patsy Kelly. Then Thelma Todd died mysteriously and was replaced by Lyda Roberti.....who died a short time later as well! "Let's Do Things" is the first of these comedies.

Like so many of the Pitts/Todd films, there really is not a lot in the way of plot. As usual, they play roommates and as was typical of many of these shorts, the plot (such as it is) consists of them going on a date with a couple of clods. Not much happens on the date and the film ends. As I said...not much plot. Instead, small bits (such as Zasu losing her shoes) were drug out way past being funny and the whole thing seemed a bit forced and unfunny. Not a terrible film...but also one that is among the studio's lesser films of 1931.