SO’S YOUR AUNT EMMA! (1942)

This comedic American film stars ZaSu Pitts, and Roger Pryor, in his third of fifteen films, here, as a sports writer. Aunt Emma (Pitts) is a spinster living with her decidedly unmarried sisters. Life is very simple in their small town. Quiet, except for her caustic siblings. Pitts sees a newspaper headline about a boxing match that reminds her of a past love, a prize fighter. Turns out the headlined boxer is his son. After hearing radio comments about his lifestyle and lack of training, she feels compelled to visit him in New York City and give him some advice on what it takes to be a successful boxer. There is potential for a wacky screwball comedy, but there are few laughs in this dull, slow-paced waste of Pitts' talents. Her performance is so subtle one wonders if the director, Jean Yarbrough, had any input at all. Thankfully, the film runs just two ticks over an hour. Pitts could be quite funny as a timid character, with forlorn eyes, and a crestfallen delivery. This film did not capture most of those qualities.

There is kidnapping, murder, a postponed wedding for Pryor, and two dim-witted gangsters who jump to assumptions. They introduce the only remotely funny element—Pitts’ ever-present umbrella. The clincher for them is that she appears to be muscling in on the young boxer's handlers. She is immediately taken to be the infamous “Ma Parker” who was known to carry a gun under her own umbrella. Never mind that the real Parker died in 1935. The myriad of intertwined characters does not provide much clarity. Once Pitts finds out about their assumptions, she decides to learn how to talk tough and play the role—not very convincingly but she is courageous.

In the end, Pitts becomes the unlikely trainer for the wayward boxer back in her hometown. With her Ma Parker attitude, she puts her two nagging sisters in their place as well.

Note: The film's title might suggest this is one in a series of popular "Emma" adventures. In reality, it was based on the story, “Aunt Emma Paints the Town” by Harry Hervey. The screenplay was written by George Bricker and Edmond Kelso. It was produced by Lindsley Parsons and distributed by Monogram Pictures. The most notable of the supporting cast includes Warren Hymer, Dick Elliot, and B-movie stalwart, Tristam Coffin.