Corn on the Cop

About This Movie

So, 'Corn on the Cop' is a fascinating little Vitaphone short from '34 that showcases the quirky charm of early comedy. The plot revolves around these two hobos who come up with this ridiculous scheme to sell axle grease as some sort of miracle salve for corns and bunions. It’s got that classic slapstick vibe, and the pacing feels right for the time, balancing absurdity with the kind of humor that makes you chuckle and scratch your head at the same time. Harry Gribbon leads the pack with a solid performance, and it’s interesting to see Shemp Howard in a more restrained role before his more famous antics with the Stooges. The practical effects are minimal, but they fit the overall tone of the short, making it a unique piece of cinema history.

This short film was released in the early days of Vitaphone, which makes it somewhat of a rarity in terms of format history. Collector interest tends to center around the performances of Harry Gribbon and early appearances of Shemp Howard, as well as the peculiar plot that reflects the resourcefulness of the era's comedy. While not as widely known as some features, it does have a niche appeal among collectors of early sound shorts and those interested in Warner Brothers' early output.