Breakinger A Brilliant Conflict

Grimossfer Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%

Sarita Rafferty There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

Phillipa Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

MartinHafer According to IMDb, "Watch the Birdie" is a remake of the old Buster Keaton film "The Cameraman". While the newer film did borrow a few bits, the plot is so different that I wouldn't consider it a remake at all. This is great, because I hate remakes and both films are a lot of fun.Red Skelton plays Rusty Cammeron--a nice schnook who works at his family's camera store. Like "The Cameraman", Rusty decides to make money by taking newsreel shots and selling them for bit bucks--exactly like in the Keaton film. However, this portion of the film doesn't last long at all and in the process he ends up meeting Lucia Corlane (Arlene Dahl) and he is instantly smitten. However, she's rich and successful and he's just a bit of an idiot--a very nice and likable idiot, nevertheless.While working for Lucia, he's filming the groundbreaking on her company's big housing project. However, unintentionally, he films her trusted adviser making an underhanded deal to destroy the company! When Rusty and Lucia discover this, they rush to the police with the film--with the baddies in hot pursuit.As I watched this film, I was surprised by my wife's reaction. She just thought Red was cute and very, very likable. In fact, she liked him so much, she was willing to forgive the few missteps the film took (such as having Lucia TELL the baddies that she's on her way to the police....who is THAT dumb?!?!). I would agree but do think the high-speed (or not so high-speed) chase did go on a bit long and because of this, I give the film a still respectable 7. Pleasant and worth seeing.By the way, when everyone is viewing the film Rusty took from the roof of his truck, the camera angle is all wrong--like it was filmed about 5 feet lower. I am surprised they didn't notice this discrepancy. Also, make sure you watch all the movie--even the opening credits. It's rather funny listening to Skelton walking about the cast and crew as the credits roll.

ron-fernandez-pittsburgh WATCH THE BIRDIE is certainly one of Red Skelton's lesser efforts. Storyline has good potential, but something went wrong. Looks like scenes were maybe filmed but cut as the movie jumps around with not much logic. Due to the short run time I'm sure much was left on the cutting room floor. No explanation as to how the Arlene Dahl character knows Red's name and where he works. A lot of other missing information. The worse part is the clips of two old MGM films. Just stops the movie dead. However, if it weren't for that scene the movie would have been barely an hour long. Only for Skelton fans, or not even. Arlene Dahl is a real beauty and Ann Miller is her usual perky self. Not much else is worthwhile.

Michael O'Keefe Its one of the masters of comedy, Red Skelton in a slapstick romance flick playing three parts: Rusty Cammeron, Pop and also Grandpop. Rusty is trying to keep the family camera shop from going under. He tries his hand at newsreel filming that leads to some hapless, funny situations and the chance meeting of an heiress Lucia Corlane(Arlene Dahl)...Rusty is smitten. Nothing he wouldn't do for his new love; even filming the ground breaking of her new housing complex. He manages to film her financial adviser making a dirty deal that would leave Miss Corlane broke. A fun vehicle for one of the "cleanest" comedians in the business. Others in the cast: Ann Miller, Leon Ames, Richard Rober and Pamela Britton. Jack Donohue directs the screenplay of Ivan Tors.

moonspinner55 Remake of Buster Keaton's 1928 success "The Cameraman" features Red Skelton at his most amiable, playing a salesman in his family's camera store (Cammeron & Son & Son) who helps the heiress of a major construction company thwart her crooked partner, who's planning on driving her out of business. The plot isn't taken at all seriously; instead, the film is comprised mainly of comic vignettes, some hilarious, with Skelton also playing his own father and wily grandfather. Gets off to a wonderful start, but loses steam along the way despite slapstick climax. The cramped dressing room bit has hardly any relation to the story yet remains a laugh-out-loud highlight, and Ann Miller is a hoot as a beauty contest winner who's always getting slugged. Skelton has some wonderful scenes, double takes, and pratfalls--and, as usual, he's quietly charming while attempting to win over the girl of his dreams. **1/2 from ****