False Roomers

In the first RKO Short featuring the comedy team of Clark & McCullough, Clark (Bobby Clark) and Grustark (Paul McCullough) seek refuge in the boarding house owned by Finlayson (James Finlayson)after wrecking the car owned by Morgan (Kewpie Morgan). Finlayson, never without rules, warns them there is no cooking allowed in the rooms, but his new roomers proceed to pop corn over the gas heater. A neighbour (Josephine Whittell) mistakes their room for the bathroom, which leads to some pre-code complications. The slapstick ending finds Clark and Grustark driving out of the boarding house in Morgan's car with a bed attached to the car.

Directed by Mark Sandrich, False Roomers leans on a strong ensemble — Bobby Clark, Paul McCullough, James Finlayson — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about comedy titles of 1931.