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Review: The Passionate Plumber (Buster Keaton and Jimmy Durante)

October 15, 2019 By Joi

The Passionate Plumber

When you hear the name Buster Keaton, you tend to think of his legendary silent films. After all, his silent films are some of the ABSOLUTE best films ever made. The General, Steamboat Bill, Jr, The Cameraman… the list goes on and on – with each film as perfect as the last.

However, make absolutely no mistake about it, Buster Keaton made some outstanding “talkies” as well. One of my personal favorites is The Passionate Plumber (1932). While this film was not my first Buster Keaton film, it was my first Jimmy Durante film. So, while I knew what delicious antics to expect from Buster, I wasn’t prepared for how much I’d love Durante- the two of them, together, were almost more than my funny bone could stand.

It seems odd to confess it, now, but before The Passionate Plumber, all I knew about Durante was from cartoons I’d seen “him” appear in. I knew he had a trademark “snicker” and a distinguished nose. That was it.

Both make iconic appearances in this film by the way.

Plot: Buster Keaton plays Elmer Tuttle, a plumber who is summoned by a socialite named Patricia (Irene Purcell) to fix her shower. True to a Buster Keaton character’s form, our hero ends up falling in love with her!

Problem is, she already has a boyfriend… and a jealous one, at that. Jimmy Durante is beyond perfect as his bungling sidekick. The wonderful Polly Moran also appears in this outrageously fun romp as the socialite’s maid and object of Durante’s affection.

(Continued Below…)


The Basics

  • The Passionate Plumber was the first time MGM paired comedic giants Buster Keaton and Jimmy Durante. They would also be paired in  Speak Easily (1932) and What-No Beer? (1933).
  • An article in The Hollywood Reporter stated that Robert Montgomery was originally cast as the lead in August 1931 but was replaced with Buster Keaton the following month. Ironically, Robert Montgomery and Buster Keaton are two of my absolute favorite actors – so I was destined to love this film either way!
  • Irene Purcell, primarily a stage actress (and it’s apparent in her films) only appeared in 6 feature Hollywood films. She is best known for this role and as Robert Montgomery’s leading lady in The Man in Possession in 1931.

Buster Keaton

Irene Purcell and Buster Keaton

When I first saw The Passionate Plumber, I borderline hated the casting of Patricia. Irene Purcell was obviously meant for the stage and her entire performance screams this fact. (Speaking of which, there is a scene where she shrieks and screams at Buster Keaton’s Elmer and I’m pretty sure it would frighten the hair off of most cats.) In fact, after watching the movie for the first time, I even thought, “If it weren’t for Irene Purcell, this would be such a wonderful little movie.” I couldn’t believe that the same people who cast Buster Keaton, Jimmy Durante, and Polly Moran chose an actress who was so completely a polar opposite.

However… when I watched it recently, for the second time, I came away with a different view. “.. (they) chose an actress who was so completely a polar opposite….” – it was either luck or pure brilliance. After all, Elmer (Keaton), Julius (Durante), and Albine (Moran) are working class characters… and not necessarily at the head of the class lmao – whereas Patricia (Purcell) doesn’t even have to get her own glass of water.

She IS their polar opposite.

Would those in charge of casting realize that a stage actress without much film experience would, in fact, come across as a stage actress – rather snooty and not off-the-charts likable? For an average film situation, I’d say it’s “very possible.” For one in which Buster Keaton is involved and could, at any time, influence decisions.. I say it’s “very probable.”

Either way, this film (primarily Irene Purcell’s role in this film) is a classic example of why I ALWAYS say, “If you don’t like a particular film or star…  give them another chance.” Heck, give them two or three more chances, at least.

Buster Keaton and Jimmy Durante in The Passionate Plumber

Buster Keaton and Jimmy Durante 

As I often say with my reviews, I like to keep them sort, sweet, and to the point. Why?? So you won’t spend time reading how much I like it when you could be spending it finding out for yourself!

Speaking of which, the film in its entirety is below. Not time like the present for a Buster Keaton movie, I always say…


The Passionate Plumber Poster is available on Amazon. It’s a must-have for Buster Keaton, Polly Moran, or Jimmy Durante collectors.

Buster Keaton and Jimmy Durante in The Passionate Plumber

Buster Keaton and Jimmy Durante

Filed Under: Buster Keaton, Jimmy Durante, Watch Movies Online Tagged With: Buster Keaton, Jimmy Durante, Polly Moran, The Passionate Plumber, watch old movies online

His Private Secretary (1933): Evalyn Knapp and John Wayne Star in a FUN Pre-Code

September 24, 2019 By Joi

Evalyn Knapp, John Wayne, and Natalie Kingston in His Private Secretary

Evalyn Knapp, John Wayne, and Natalie Kingston in His Private Secretary (1933)

In His Private Secretary, John Wayne is Dick Wallace – a playboy who is as AGAINST working as his workaholic father is FOR working. He wants very little to do with work OR his father’s advice about women… or anything else, for that matter. When Dick meets beautiful Marion Hall (Evalyn Knapp), sparks fly. They fall in love and elope. Unfortunately, Marion Dick’s father doesn’t approve of Mario, as he believes she’s nothing but a gold-digger

In an effort to prove herself, she takes a job at the senior Wallace’s office, using her maiden name. She’s able to fool her father-in-law because he has refused to meet his son’s new bride.

Or so he thinks.

Here’s the pre-code movie in its entirety. It’s a real jolt to see John Wayne in a non-cowboy role, but after you get past the lack of horses and guns, the movie is a lot of fun. I actually love it. I’d love to have a really good copy of it, as you can tell, this one is an old movie and LOOKS it – fortunately we old movie lovers are used to that sort of thing.

This really is a great little movie and the cast is outstanding. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.


Filed Under: Evalyn Knapp, John Wayne, Old Movies, Watch Movies Online Tagged With: Evalyn Knapp, John Wayne, Natalie Kingston, pre-code, watch old movies online

Heidi (1937): Watch the Full Movie

April 15, 2019 By Joi

I grew up watching (and loving!) Shirley Temple and all of her wonderful movies. I still watch them… and you’d better believe I still love them.

And her!

Below is the wonderful movie Heidi from 1937. I honestly believe we tend to take Shirley Temple for granted, simply because she made it look so easy. But this was a child with a tremendous amount of talent!

Grab some popcorn and enjoy Shirley Temple in this beautiful classic.


Filed Under: Shirley Temple, Watch Movies Online Tagged With: full Shirley Temple movie, Shirley Temple, Watch movies online, watch old movies online

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Ann Sheridan, It All Came True

Ann Sheridan

My name is Joi (“Joy”) and I created Hollywood Yesterday as my personal tribute to Old Hollywood. It’s my effort to help keep the stars from Old Hollywood, Classic Television, and Old Radio Shows alive and shining forever. Old Hollywood was positively magical and I see no reason for the magic to ever die.

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Also, please know that I try to keep my posts (except for book reviews) short and to the point, so you can enjoy the pictures, grab the information, and get back to your life. I don’t appreciate anything that’s overly wordy, so I don’t want to do that to others. For better or worse, I write as I talk, so if you ever feel like you’re reading the words of someone who’s a cross between Lucy Ricardo, Daisy Duck, and a Jerry Lewis character, that’s just because you are!

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Below are a few Old Hollywood movie reviews I’ve done on the blog. There are, as you’d imagine, a lot more to come. – Joi (“Joy”)

We’re in the Money (Joan Blondell, Glenda Farrell)

The Naked Spur (James Stewart, Janet Leigh)

The Prince and the Showgirl (Marilyn Monroe, Laurence Olivier)

The White Sister (Helen Hayes, Clark Gable)

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Howard Keel, Jane Powell, Russ Tamblyn, Julie Newmar)

Rio Bravo (John Wayne, Dean Martin, Angie Dickinson, Ricky Nelson, Walter Brennan)

El Dorado (John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, James Caan, Charlene Holt, Michele Carey)

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Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein (What is it With Me and These Movies??)

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To Please a Lady (Clark Gable and Barbara Stanwyck team up in a fast track movie)

Grand Hotel (Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore)

Hearts Divided (Marion Davies, Dick Powell)

The Quiet Man (John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, Barry Fitzgerald)

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Maureen O'Hara's Autobiography 'Tis Herself

‘Tis Herself by Maureen O’Hara
I Know Where I'm Going (Katharine Hepburn Biography) and Princess

I Know Where I’m Going: Katharine Hepburn

 

Debbie Reynolds Unsinkable
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Ginger Rogers Autobiography - Ginger: My Story

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Aside from pictures of books I review, I do not claim to have taken any of the pictures on this website, nor do I own the pictures – the ones of the stars or the affiliate (product) pictures.  Other, far more talented photographers than me have the credit for the beautiful photos you see. If you would like credit for a photograph or would like one removed, please e-mail me (joitsigers@gmail.com).

Movie posters and promotional photos are used in the belief that they qualify for the Fair Use law. Fair use is a doctrine in the law of the United States that permits limited use of copyrighted material without having to first acquire permission from the copyright holder. Fair use is one of the limitations to copyright intended to balance the interests of copyright holders with the public interest in the wider distribution and use of creative works by allowing as a defense to copyright infringement claims certain limited uses that might otherwise be considered infringement.

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