PLAIN CLOTHES is the first short, based on screen credit and Sennett’s records, that Frank Capra worked on. It’s possible he contributed to earlier efforts in some capacity, but this short is the first one we know for a fact Capra was on board. If this is indeed Capra’s first, PLAIN CLOTHES is another in a line of already existing films of this style. Funny, but nothing revolutionary.
That out of the way, missing footage and shape of the film stock aside, there are some funny moments here. Langdon and his girl have some fun bits together. I absolutely love it when she leads him step by step to sit down with her like he’s a trained animal. Again, only Langdon would do that kind of thing. The raid is the highlight of the short, speaking of what only Langdon would do. The minute he is piled with all those detectives, the physical movements of how out of step Langdon is with everyone else is genius. The way he is helplessly confused and running off to the side. The way he puts down the rifle. The way he stops the car so he can tell his girl he’s in the raid. But it’s not only the raid where he’s out of step, it’s also the gun fight between Vernon and the detective. The way he’s off to the side trying to do something but looking completely out of synch with the action. He’s the proverbial third wheel, in the world, but not in synch with it at all.
I also really enjoy the gas scene. A good excuse to bring forth a sleepy Langdon. A sleepy Langdon is a good Langdon. The way he wags his finger and talks to the criminals - I can picture Harry’s voice and delivery when scolding them. This is due to watching his talkies and it makes it that much funnier to me. A luxury the audiences of the twenties didn’t have.
So yeah, story wise a bit of a mess due to missing footage, but enough funny moments to be real entertaining.
