Role: Michael Prescott
Film Presence: Small
Role Type: ??!!!????!!!!!!
UCLA Inventory Number: VA16959 M
UCLA Inventory Number: VA16959 M
Film Information and Summary: IMDb, TCM, Wikipedia
Release Date: June 13, 1941
Douglas Walton's role as Michael Prescott
Daniel Boone Jennings (played by Leon Errol) allowed and encouraged his daughter Beatrice (played by Mildred Coles) to be with her one true love Jerry Grant (played by Kenneth Howell), but his wife Diana (played by Cecil Cunningham) disapproved of such a match because she would rather have her daughter marry someone from high society. Jerry was just a bakery truck driver.
Daniel went to Oklahoma and befriended a few Native Americans from a reservation. Two weeks later, he came back and was introduced to Michael Prescott (Douglas Walton) by Diana and Beatrice. With a deep slow voice, Prescott shook hands with Daniel with a "Hoooow doo youu doo?" with lazy eyes and a gaped mouth. Daniel stopped for a split second and glanced at Prescott with a baffled face. Prescott still staring down at Daniel with his mouth open and said something unintelligible. Diana thought Prescott would a good suitor for Beatrice because of his wealthy upbringing. While everyone was talking, Prescott just mindlessly stood there.
While everyone was talking, Daniel saw Jerry Grant driving in his bakery delivery truck from outside. Daniel had the group run towards the next room so they wouldn't be seen by Jerry. Beatrice followed suite and whisked the dull Prescott with her. They did some talking, and Diana let Prescott and Beatrice go on their own way together.
Daniel didn't want Prescott to marry Beatrice. A socialite party was set to be at Daniel's home. To make matters worse, three of Daniel's Native American friends came by to his house and caused some unintentional trouble. Hilarity ensues. (Played by Noble Johnson, Eddie Conrad, and Lalo Encinas)
Aside from the antics of Daniel and his friends, the party actually went smoothly as all the shenanigans happen outside of it. Prescott was...normal in these scenes...at least from faraway shots and angles. No lazy eyes, no gaping mouths, but he also didn't say a word in the party. He sat next to Beatrice in a long dinner table among a group of people and smiled here and there naturally.
Near the end of the film, Daniel said he just wanted Prescott to disappear. The Native Americans had an idea and went outside of the room. Back into character, Prescott came down the hallway and slowly asked the tribesmen, "Excuuuse meee, wheeere iis Beeatrice?" The three men grabbed hold of Prescott and ran outside of the hall. With wide shocked eyes and legs kicking in the air, Prescott yelled, "What's going on?! Let go of me, you savages!" He was hollering and Diana could hear his voice echoing from upstairs. All the party goers went outside of the house and saw Jerry Grant drove away with Beatrice in his delivery truck. Daniel was happy for the couple and gave major thanks to his friends for kidnapping Prescott. Poor Michael.
This is perhaps Douglas Walton's most bizarre role, and probably something far different from what he had ever done. It is definitely an attempt to do some slap-stick comedy. The first time I watched this performance, I couldn't figure out what Walton was trying to convey. Was he supposed to be mentally disabled, or someone who was so dull that he was devoid of any personality? I didn't know whether I should laugh or have some sort of reaction by his gawking mouth and limp wrists. As one would've guessed, it was a very different time in the early 1940's. Later on after reading the TCM summary, I realized Douglas Walton was going for a very cartoonish boring. The oddest role I've seen from him, which I would say, definitely worth the watch.
Now in this film, Daniel befriended a Native American tribe. I was curious on how this film would play out. Most older films paint Native Americans as threatening savages. Well, this is the kind of movie that try to be progressive when it's really not that progressive as they rely on stereotypical notions. The characters spoke in stunted speech, stole a popcorn cart, and made a mess where ever they go. Daniel had to deal with his friends' antics and handle them as if they were wild children. Unaware of "civil" etiquette, the tribesman clashed cultures in comedic effect, but at least they "try" to learn the customs. Daniel's wife Diana held racist views towards the Native Americans. Though unlike many adventure and western genres of its era, it seems that this film attempted to warm the audience with these characters. The introduction to the Native Americans was through a cute and mischievous child (played by Janette Fern), which led Daniel to befriend the tribe through cultural "understanding." Despite that they made a lot of trouble for him, Daniel still enjoyed their presence. And let's not forget, they also did a huge favor for Daniel in the end. Poor Michael Prescott.
Aside from the seesawing depictions of the Native Americans, there was truly a golden moment in this film. A police officer told Daniel that the Native Americans were not allowed to be at a recreational park. Standing up for his friends, Daniel scolded the officer and said that "the Native Americans have EVERY RIGHT to be "HERE" because THEY were "HERE FIRST," and that the European settlers were the ones that STOLE THEIR LAND. I gave a round of applause for that scene. Now THAT'S impressive for an early 1940's movie!
This is the second time Douglas Walton worked with Noble Johnson. The first time was in "Murder in Trinidad" (1934). An interesting tidbit, Noble Johnson created an all-black studio in 1916 called the Lincoln Motion Picture Company. The studio was the first to produce movies with realistic portrayals of African-Americans instead of racist stereotypes of that era. Now that is both inspirational and groundbreaking!
"Hurry, Charlie, Hurry" can be purchased at My Video Classics. I haven't seen a bad review for this site, so I'm assuming it's not a scam.
Release Date: June 13, 1941
Douglas Walton's role as Michael Prescott
 |
| Leon Errol and Douglas Walton in "Hurry, Charlie, Hurry" (1941). "Hoooow doo youu doo?" Illustration sketch by the blogger herself, Emily Nguyen. |
Daniel Boone Jennings (played by Leon Errol) allowed and encouraged his daughter Beatrice (played by Mildred Coles) to be with her one true love Jerry Grant (played by Kenneth Howell), but his wife Diana (played by Cecil Cunningham) disapproved of such a match because she would rather have her daughter marry someone from high society. Jerry was just a bakery truck driver.
Daniel went to Oklahoma and befriended a few Native Americans from a reservation. Two weeks later, he came back and was introduced to Michael Prescott (Douglas Walton) by Diana and Beatrice. With a deep slow voice, Prescott shook hands with Daniel with a "Hoooow doo youu doo?" with lazy eyes and a gaped mouth. Daniel stopped for a split second and glanced at Prescott with a baffled face. Prescott still staring down at Daniel with his mouth open and said something unintelligible. Diana thought Prescott would a good suitor for Beatrice because of his wealthy upbringing. While everyone was talking, Prescott just mindlessly stood there.
 |
| Douglas Walton in "Hurry, Charlie, Hurry" (1941). Illustration sketch by the blogger herself, Emily Nguyen. |
 |
| Leon Errol and Douglas Walton in "Hurry, Charlie, Hurry" (1941). Illustration sketch by the blogger herself, Emily Nguyen. |
While everyone was talking, Daniel saw Jerry Grant driving in his bakery delivery truck from outside. Daniel had the group run towards the next room so they wouldn't be seen by Jerry. Beatrice followed suite and whisked the dull Prescott with her. They did some talking, and Diana let Prescott and Beatrice go on their own way together.
Daniel didn't want Prescott to marry Beatrice. A socialite party was set to be at Daniel's home. To make matters worse, three of Daniel's Native American friends came by to his house and caused some unintentional trouble. Hilarity ensues. (Played by Noble Johnson, Eddie Conrad, and Lalo Encinas)
Aside from the antics of Daniel and his friends, the party actually went smoothly as all the shenanigans happen outside of it. Prescott was...normal in these scenes...at least from faraway shots and angles. No lazy eyes, no gaping mouths, but he also didn't say a word in the party. He sat next to Beatrice in a long dinner table among a group of people and smiled here and there naturally.
 |
| Douglas Walton seemingly normal in "Hurry, Charlie, Hurry" (1941). Illustration sketch by the blogger herself, Emily Nguyen. |
Near the end of the film, Daniel said he just wanted Prescott to disappear. The Native Americans had an idea and went outside of the room. Back into character, Prescott came down the hallway and slowly asked the tribesmen, "Excuuuse meee, wheeere iis Beeatrice?" The three men grabbed hold of Prescott and ran outside of the hall. With wide shocked eyes and legs kicking in the air, Prescott yelled, "What's going on?! Let go of me, you savages!" He was hollering and Diana could hear his voice echoing from upstairs. All the party goers went outside of the house and saw Jerry Grant drove away with Beatrice in his delivery truck. Daniel was happy for the couple and gave major thanks to his friends for kidnapping Prescott. Poor Michael.
 |
| Douglas Walton in "Hurry, Charlie, Hurry" (1941), getting kidnapped Noble Johnson, Eddie Conrad, and Lalo Encinas. Illustration sketch by the blogger herself, Emily Nguyen. |
This is perhaps Douglas Walton's most bizarre role, and probably something far different from what he had ever done. It is definitely an attempt to do some slap-stick comedy. The first time I watched this performance, I couldn't figure out what Walton was trying to convey. Was he supposed to be mentally disabled, or someone who was so dull that he was devoid of any personality? I didn't know whether I should laugh or have some sort of reaction by his gawking mouth and limp wrists. As one would've guessed, it was a very different time in the early 1940's. Later on after reading the TCM summary, I realized Douglas Walton was going for a very cartoonish boring. The oddest role I've seen from him, which I would say, definitely worth the watch.
Now in this film, Daniel befriended a Native American tribe. I was curious on how this film would play out. Most older films paint Native Americans as threatening savages. Well, this is the kind of movie that try to be progressive when it's really not that progressive as they rely on stereotypical notions. The characters spoke in stunted speech, stole a popcorn cart, and made a mess where ever they go. Daniel had to deal with his friends' antics and handle them as if they were wild children. Unaware of "civil" etiquette, the tribesman clashed cultures in comedic effect, but at least they "try" to learn the customs. Daniel's wife Diana held racist views towards the Native Americans. Though unlike many adventure and western genres of its era, it seems that this film attempted to warm the audience with these characters. The introduction to the Native Americans was through a cute and mischievous child (played by Janette Fern), which led Daniel to befriend the tribe through cultural "understanding." Despite that they made a lot of trouble for him, Daniel still enjoyed their presence. And let's not forget, they also did a huge favor for Daniel in the end. Poor Michael Prescott.
Aside from the seesawing depictions of the Native Americans, there was truly a golden moment in this film. A police officer told Daniel that the Native Americans were not allowed to be at a recreational park. Standing up for his friends, Daniel scolded the officer and said that "the Native Americans have EVERY RIGHT to be "HERE" because THEY were "HERE FIRST," and that the European settlers were the ones that STOLE THEIR LAND. I gave a round of applause for that scene. Now THAT'S impressive for an early 1940's movie!
This is the second time Douglas Walton worked with Noble Johnson. The first time was in "Murder in Trinidad" (1934). An interesting tidbit, Noble Johnson created an all-black studio in 1916 called the Lincoln Motion Picture Company. The studio was the first to produce movies with realistic portrayals of African-Americans instead of racist stereotypes of that era. Now that is both inspirational and groundbreaking!
"Hurry, Charlie, Hurry" can be purchased at My Video Classics. I haven't seen a bad review for this site, so I'm assuming it's not a scam.
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