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» » Good Time Charley (1927)

Short summary

Charley Keane is a well-known vaudeville performer who seems to have everything going for him--fame, money, and a beautiful daughter whom he dotes on. Unfortunately, things start to slide downhill for Charley, both career-wise and in his personal life. His manager is crooked, he is spending too much money and doesn't have enough coming in, and his daughter becomes an actress and her fame starts to eclipse his,

Originally, the film was presumed lost. So it turns out that in February 1956, Jack Warner sold the rights to all of his pre-December 1949 films to Associated Artists Productions. This film could be shown on television, it is unknown. In 1969, United Artists Corporation donated most of Warner Bros. films to the Library of Congress.

Vitaphone production reels #2381-2388; a Vitaphone musical score and sound effects were added to this otherwise silent production.

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Nawenadet
    "Good Time Charley" was an attempt by Warner Bros. to capitalize on the success of "Old San Francisco" which starred Warner Oland in a villainous role. Here, he is a vaudevillian, a song-and-dance man as the picture begins, about the year 1900. He is happily married with a small daughter, and they barnstorm about the midwest with the rest of their troupe, managed by Montague Love who is the villain of the piece. Things go sour for Charley but he has his loyal best friend, played by Clyde Cook, and his daughter, whom he dotes on. Charley is a spender, and things continue on a downhill slide as his daughter grows up and begins to upstage him, eventually eclipsing him and his career.

    Charley Keene is a character to root for, but Oland is unable to pull it off and earn audience sympathy. He lacks acting depth and range and the good looks of a matinée idol. His smile-through-it-all demeanor seems painted on, his face lacking expression to match the circumstance. And anyone can see he is not a dancer (can't tell about his singing, this being a silent). Luckily, prosperity - and the Charlie Chan role - were just around the corner.

    This film was borrowed from the Library Of Congress for Capitolfest, Rome N.Y., 8/12.
  • Cast overview:
    Warner Oland Warner Oland - 'Good Time' Charley Keene
    Helene Costello Helene Costello - Rosita Keene
    Clyde Cook Clyde Cook - Bill Collins
    Montagu Love Montagu Love - John Hartwell
    Hugh Allan Hugh Allan - John Hartwell Jr
    Julanne Johnston Julanne Johnston - Elaine Keene
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