Tweet Walter Catlett

Reading about Catlett on the Wheeler & Woolsey thread made me feel some appreciation of him is in order.
I remember first seeing him in THE BOY WITH GREEN HAIR, and feeling that here is an actor that must have had lots of entertainment experience.
Moving forward a long time, and now being involved in film preservation, I have seen a couple of his early 1930s performances that are really worth watching, but not readily available. The first is as the ship's bartender in THE CAPTAIN HATES THE SEA (Columbia 1934). This was John Gilbert's last film, and is said to inspire an exchange between Harry Cohn and director Lewis Milestone, more or less, Cohn: "The cost of this picture is staggering." Milestone: "So is the cast."
The other, really obscure is PRIVATE JONES (Universal 1933). When we were commissioned by Universal to do preservation work on this one, it was just another unknown title. It stars Lee Tracy in the title role, with Donald Cook and Gloria Stuart. Catlett has a pretty meaty and amusing part working in the army canteen. I won't go into details, as the story can be found via the TCM.com library (which is actually the AFI Catalog). If it ever becomes available, see it.
The preservation was done from the original negative, held at the Library of Congress, so is pristine.
A third film is SO THIS IS HARRIS (RKO 1933), the second short subject to win an Academy Award. It involves Catlett and bandleader Phil Harris on a golf course, in a 3-reel (29 min.) short. Again, just preserved for the Academy Film Archive from the original negative.
More information about him would be interesting.

Catlett does quite a good job as the lunch counter operator in a Maisie Gets Her Man, which ripped off its setting and atmosphere uncredited from an A. J. Liebling story.

Catlett first came to my attention in his role as Barsad in A TALE OF TWO CITIES (1935). His character is played for comedy until the end when he sees Sydney Carton on his way to the guillotine. Catlett also has a nice vignette in YANKEE DOODLE DANDY (1942).

Walter Catlett was terrific comedian in his own right, and apparently much beloved by his fellow performers. Bert Wheeler said he was "crazy about him," and I recall James Cagney fondly stating that Catlett was "open as a barn door," and that there was no pretense about him. Cagney also said Catlett died broke, and that he gave away most of his money to anyone with a hard luck story.

A few great Catlett scenes immediately come to mind: he's terrific as a snoopy reporter who's bought off by Jean Harlow's rich family in PLATINUM BLONDE (1931); appropriately sleazy as Eric Linden's good-time cousin in BIG CITY BLUES (1932); and plays a scheming fight promoter in THE SPORTS PARADE (1932) who turns dramatic very convincingly. IIRC in the Mack Sennett short CALIENTE LOVE (1933) Catlett is crying so much at his ex-girlfriend's wedding that he's lined up all his handkerchiefs on the radiator to dry out!

Unfortunately most of Catlett's Columbia shorts are disappointments apart from the last one he did, YOU'RE NEXT! (1940), a typical (but high-energied) haunted house-gorilla comedy that also includes Roscoe Ates as a kidnapped millionaire (!)

It was especially nice taking my son to DISNEY ON ICE when he was a toddler and hearing Catlett's actual voice over the sound system singing "Hi-diddle-e-dee" when scenes from PINOCCHIO were enacted.

Catlett's starring two-reelers for Columbia offer a few tantalizing hints of his comic strengths, but the funniest of the batch--1940's YOU'RE NEXT--could have just as easily starred anyone else on the lot (and indeed did, when it was remade by the Stooges as WHO DONE IT?)
I've seen a couple of his Sennett shorts where he is at full throttle (notably DREAM STUFF), not as appealing a character as in his supporting roles but still a very dynamic comedian dominating every scene he's in.
Interesting to see him play character parts in films like MR. DEEDS GOES TO TOWN, YANKEE DOODLE DANDY, GHOST CATCHERS, BEAU JAMES, DAVY CROCKETT AND THE RIVER PIRATES and FRIENDLY PERSUASION. Definitely a better and more versatile actor than his "double" Bob Woolsey ever was. And of course BRINGING UP BABY is an enduring testament to his brilliant sense of timing (I shudder to think of Woolsey turning Walter's throwaway lines into punchlines, as he undoubtedly would have).
I'd love to see any one of his Monogram "Henry" films with his lifelong friend Raymond Walburn.

Catlett's starring two-reelers for Columbia offer a few tantalizing hints of his comic strengths, but the funniest of the batch--1940's YOU'RE NEXT--could have just as easily starred anyone else on the lot (and indeed did, when it was remade by the Stooges as WHO DONE IT?)

WHO DONE IT? with the Stooges is not actually a remake of YOU'RE NEXT -- there's no vicious drooling gorillas in the Stooges short -- although like most Columbia "scare" comedies they do have a lot in common (dumb detectives or detective wannabes tangle with killers in a haunted house setting). WHO DONE IT? is a loose remake of the Schilling & Lane short, PARDON MY TERROR.

I've seen a couple of his Sennett shorts where he is at full throttle (notably DREAM STUFF), not as appealing a character as in his supporting roles but still a very dynamic comedian dominating every scene he's in.
Interesting to see him play character parts in films like MR. DEEDS GOES TO TOWN, YANKEE DOODLE DANDY, GHOST CATCHERS, BEAU JAMES, DAVY CROCKETT AND THE RIVER PIRATES and FRIENDLY PERSUASION. Definitely a better and more versatile actor than his "double" Bob Woolsey ever was. And of course BRINGING UP BABY is an enduring testament to his brilliant sense of timing (I shudder to think of Woolsey turning Walter's throwaway lines into punchlines, as he undoubtedly would have).

Walter Catlett's considerable talent makes it somewhat ironic that while Bob Woolsey actually became a major comedy star in features with Wheeler (they were in Motion Picture Herald's top 15 list of biggest moneymaking players for 1932-33), Catlett himself was often confined to small supporting roles throughout his career. When Bert Wheeler was at WB following Woolsey's death, making that putrid quickie THE COWBOY QUARTERBACK (1939), someone should've paired Bert with Catlett, it could've given Wheeler's screen career a second chance and the opportunity for Catlett to really shine.

Another similarity between Woolsey and Catlett: Woolsey had his war cry of "Whooah!" and Catlet had one of his own: "Holy Cats!"

Walter Catlett's considerable talent makes it somewhat ironic that while Bob Woolsey actually became a major comedy star in features with Wheeler (they were in Motion Picture Herald's top 15 list of biggest moneymaking players for 1932-33), Catlett himself was often confined to small supporting roles throughout his career. When Bert Wheeler was at WB following Woolsey's death, making that putrid quickie THE COWBOY QUARTERBACK (1939), someone should've paired Bert with Catlett, it could've given Wheeler's screen career a second chance and the opportunity for Catlett to really shine.

Another similarity between Woolsey and Catlett: Woolsey had his war cry of "Whooah!" and Catlet had one of his own: "Holy Cats!"

I'm still waiting and hoping for bit rot to claim my recorded-off-TCM copy of The Cowboy Quarterback. I don't think I felt sorrier for a former star since I watched that. I agree that Catlett's timing has got Woolsey's beat. I watched It's Tough To Be Famous about a week ago, and Catlett is better than anything I could imagine Woolsey doing with that role.

I've seen a couple of his Sennett shorts where he is at full throttle (notably DREAM STUFF), not as appealing a character as in his supporting roles but still a very dynamic comedian dominating every scene he's in.

The 1933-period Paramount shorts in which Catlett is teamed with Eugene Pallette are pretty funny and crazy, too - especially SAILORS BEWARE!

A third film is SO THIS IS HARRIS (RKO 1933), the second short subject to win an Academy Award. It involves Catlett and bandleader Phil Harris on a golf course, in a 3-reel (29 min.) short. Again, just preserved for the Academy Film Archive from the original negative.

SO THIS IS HARRIS - One of my favorites - with the beautiful June Brewster! And we get not only Phil Harris singing, but James Finlayson too.

And idea of the status of another 1933 RKO short featruring Catlett and June Brewster - PRIVATE WIVES? Been trying to find that one for years.

I know he made a phonograph record while touring vaudeville in England (OK, that's technically Music Hall) in the 'teens, but I've never heard a copy.

I was introduced to him as the dithery Niagara Falls hotel manager in Bob Hope's THEY GOT ME COVERED. It's a small part but he makes a little gem of it.

PRIVATE JONES (Universal 1933). When we were commissioned by Universal to do preservation work on this one, it was just another unknown title. It stars Lee Tracy in the title role, with Donald Cook and Gloria Stuart. Catlett has a pretty meaty and amusing part working in the army canteen. I won't go into details, as the story can be found via the TCM.com library (which is actually the AFI Catalog). If it ever becomes available, see it.
The preservation was done from the original negative, held at the Library of Congress, so is pristine.

I've always known of PRIVATE JONES and wanted to see it. So that's good news that it's preserved and looking good. Keep up the good work!
I'm hoping we'll be able to finally get to see PRIVATE JONES at an upcoming festival such as Cinefest or Capitolfest.

Any idea of the preservation status of another Walter Catlett Universal I've always wanted to see? - THE AFFAIR OF SUSAN (1935) (Remake of LONESOME, 1928).

The 1933-period Paramount shorts in which Catlett is teamed with Eugene Pallette are pretty funny and crazy, too - especially SAILORS BEWARE!

Rich, I nearly forgot about that film - Rohauer had struck a print of it (he owned the UM&M elements) and at the time I was surprised at how Catlett, as a ladies' man, was really playing up the Woolsey-like similarities, including all the business with the cigar...doesn't Eugene Pallette spew bullets like a machine gun in that short? Any idea where I can see a copy would be appreciated, haven't seen it in over 30 years!

The 1933-period Paramount shorts in which Catlett is teamed with Eugene Pallette are pretty funny and crazy, too - especially SAILORS BEWARE!

Rich, I nearly forgot about that film...doesn't Eugene Pallette spew bullets like a machine gun in that short? Any idea where I can see a copy would be appreciated, haven't seen it in over 30 years!

Yes, that's the one in which Pallette shoots bullets from his mouth.
I've had a copy of the short on video since the mid-1980's and a friend has a very good 16mm print - so prints are out there.

It is included in this just-released DVD set of comedy shorts:

http://www.oldies.com/product-view/6730D.html

Another thing I'm sure you'll recall about SAILORS BEWARE!: about half of it was remade as BOOBY DUPES (1944) with The Three Stooges.

The 1933-period Paramount shorts in which Catlett is teamed with Eugene Pallette are pretty funny and crazy, too - especially SAILORS BEWARE!

Rich, I nearly forgot about that film...doesn't Eugene Pallette spew bullets like a machine gun in that short? Any idea where I can see a copy would be appreciated, haven't seen it in over 30 years!

Yes, that's the one in which Pallette shoots bullets from his mouth.
I've had a copy of the short on video since the mid-1980's and a friend has a very good 16mm print - so prints are out there.

It is included in this just-released DVD set of comedy shorts:

http://www.oldies.com/product-view/6730D.html" target="_blank

Another thing I'm sure you'll recall about SAILORS BEWARE!: about half of it was remade as BOOBY DUPES (1944) with The Three Stooges.

Thank you so much, Rich! BOOBY DUPES - according to Ed Bernds' diary it was the last Stooge short before Curly's first stroke - and the listless performances that followed betray this fact.

Catlett did a lot of radio work in the late 40's. He was a regular member of the stock company (along with fellow vaudevillian with Jay C. Flippen) on, of all things, THIS IS YOUR FBI. He invariably played rogues and swindlers.

Catlett is also amazingly terrific in the Al St. John short "Honeymoon Trio" (1931), which I think I saw at one of the Slapsticons. He plays SUCH an incredible pain in the a## it's mind numbing.............and I want to see it again!

And here's a still from one I'd like to see, Catlett with El Brendel in 1933's "Olsen's Big Moment". It's sitting right there at UCLA and probably hasn't been viewed publicly since it's original release date:

Catlett is also amazingly terrific in the Al St. John short "Honeymoon Trio" (1931)...and I want to see it again!

Got it on video around here someplace.

I own many of the Catlett shorts including Sailors Beware (my favorite) .

It is scheduled to be shown at the SONS OF THE DESERT convention in New Hampshire this summer.

Are you going Ed?

Has anybody bought that Oldies.com short set?

http://www.oldies.com/product-view/6730D.html" target="_blank

Oldies.com transfer quality is usually terrible.....

Has anybody bought that Oldies.com short set?

http://www.oldies.com/product-view/6730D.html" target="_blank" target="_blank

Oldies.com transfer quality is usually terrible.....

Depends very much on the source material- a transfer from a decent print will be watchable to good, but a lot of their stuff is from 2nd generation or worse, or spliced and damaged. Odd company- they put out low quality crap (with beautiful packaging) but they also distribute some interesting independent films.

Has anybody bought that Oldies.com short set?

http://www.oldies.com/product-view/6730D.html" target="_blank" target="_blank

Not yet, but even though I already have 3 out of the 4 shorts in the set, I do plan to order it soon.

I own many of the Catlett shorts including Sailors Beware (my favorite) .

It is scheduled to be shown at the SONS OF THE DESERT convention in New Hampshire this summer.

Are you going Ed?

Ralph, my family and I are relocating from the US to a country village in Bavaria (outside of Munich) probably in late June. It's very "Green Acres" with a Germanic slant...of course packaging all the 16mms is the biggest part of the project (for me, at least!). While we'll definitely be visiting the States each year, I won't be able to make the SOTD convention in late July

Has anybody bought that Oldies.com short set?

http://www.oldies.com/product-view/6730D.html" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Not yet, but even though I already have 3 out of the 4 shorts in the set, I do plan to order it soon.

Rich, I ordered the DVD (entirely for the Catlett-Pallette short) so I'll report back when I receive it. A year ago I ordered from them a 1932 poverty row feature with Glenn Tryon, Vernon Dent, Marjorie Beebe and Walter Long (forget the title) and the quality was surprisingly decent. Dent, Beebe and Long, incidentally are all terrific in it.

Rich, I ordered the DVD (entirely for the Catlett-Pallette short) so I'll report back when I receive it. A year ago I ordered from them a 1932 poverty row feature with Glenn Tryon, Vernon Dent, Marjorie Beebe and Walter Long (forget the title) and the quality was surprisingly decent. Dent, Beebe and Long, incidentally are all terrific in it.

That sounds like DRAGNET PATROL (Action Pictures, 1931). I remember seeing that one on cable. Symona Boniface plays Walter Long's mistress! A real treasure trove.

Rich, I ordered the DVD (entirely for the Catlett-Pallette short) so I'll report back when I receive it. A year ago I ordered from them a 1932 poverty row feature with Glenn Tryon, Vernon Dent, Marjorie Beebe and Walter Long (forget the title) and the quality was surprisingly decent. Dent, Beebe and Long, incidentally are all terrific in it.[/quote]

That sounds like DRAGNET PATROL (Action Pictures, 1931). I remember seeing that one on cable. Symona Boniface plays Walter Long's mistress! A real treasure trove.[/quote]

Yep, that's the one, Hal! (Incidentally, Symona was still quite a looker in those days...)

Catlett and Raymond Walburn co starred in five obviously low budget films for Monogram in 1949-51--first Leave It to Henry (49), last Father Takes theAir (51), directed by either Jean Yarbrough or Frank McDonald. Supporting casts include Florence Bates, Jane Darwell, James Brown, Barbara Brown, Francis Ford and other b picture stalwarts.

I keep looking in to see if anyone's going to mention Al Boasberg's absurdist oddity, UPPERCUTLETS (1936). Catlett, atypically, plays relatively straight to everybody else's nonsense but does so gracefully. For me, this one is either terrible or brilliant, not sure which. Boasberg has an interesting sour-faced cameo at the beginning.

I keep looking in to see if anyone's going to mention Al Boasberg's absurdist oddity, UPPERCUTLETS (1936). Catlett, atypically, plays relatively straight to everybody else's nonsense but does so gracefully. For me, this one is either terrible or brilliant, not sure which. Boasberg has an interesting sour-faced cameo at the beginning.

I've got an old video of that around here somewhere that I haven't seen in years. Sounds like I should dig it out and take another look!

I keep looking in to see if anyone's going to mention Al Boasberg's absurdist oddity, UPPERCUTLETS (1936). Catlett, atypically, plays relatively straight to everybody else's nonsense but does so gracefully. For me, this one is either terrible or brilliant, not sure which. Boasberg has an interesting sour-faced cameo at the beginning.

I've got an old video of that around here somewhere that I haven't seen in years. Sounds like I should dig it out and take another look!

I keep looking in to see if anyone's going to mention Al Boasberg's absurdist oddity, UPPERCUTLETS (1936). Catlett, atypically, plays relatively straight to everybody else's nonsense but does so gracefully. For me, this one is either terrible or brilliant, not sure which. Boasberg has an interesting sour-faced cameo at the beginning.

I've got an old video of that around here somewhere that I haven't seen in years. Sounds like I should dig it out and take another look!

Thanks!
That was convenient. I should have thought of that!