According to IMDb, "Watch the Birdie" is a remake of the old Buster Keaton film "The Cameraman". While the newer film did borrow a few bits, the plot is so different that I wouldn't consider it a remake at all. This is great, because I hate remakes and both films are a lot of fun.Red Skelton plays Rusty Cammeron--a nice schnook who works at his family's camera store. Like "The Cameraman", Rusty decides to make money by taking newsreel shots and selling them for bit bucks--exactly like in the Keaton film. However, this portion of the film doesn't last long at all and in the process he ends up meeting Lucia Corlane (Arlene Dahl) and he is instantly smitten. However, she's rich and successful and he's just a bit of an idiot--a very nice and likable idiot, nevertheless.While working for Lucia, he's filming the groundbreaking on her company's big housing project. However, unintentionally, he films her trusted adviser making an underhanded deal to destroy the company! When Rusty and Lucia discover this, they rush to the police with the film--with the baddies in hot pursuit.As I watched this film, I was surprised by my wife's reaction. She just thought Red was cute and very, very likable. In fact, she liked him so much, she was willing to forgive the few missteps the film took (such as having Lucia TELL the baddies that she's on her way to the police....who is THAT dumb?!?!). I would agree but do think the high-speed (or not so high-speed) chase did go on a bit long and because of this, I give the film a still respectable 7. Pleasant and worth seeing.By the way, when everyone is viewing the film Rusty took from the roof of his truck, the camera angle is all wrong--like it was filmed about 5 feet lower. I am surprised they didn't notice this discrepancy. Also, make sure you watch all the movie--even the opening credits. It's rather funny listening to Skelton walking about the cast and crew as the credits roll.

This film has some good sight gags and slapstick. Red is pleasant. Arlene Dahl (who co-starred with Red on 3 films in this time period) is pleasant, as well. So what's the problem? Well, an awfully weak script to begin with. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I'll put the blame on Jack Donohue, who directed a handful of films, but mostly went into television (including a number of Red's later t.v. shows)...which I learned after watching this film. And that is very telling, because I kept thinking this film needed a laugh track! And as we all know, that's a television trick not needed in a decent film.It seems to me that this film had some real potential. A somewhat down-in-the-luck photographer and photography store owner (Red) gets involved saving a wealthy socialite/real estate mogul (Dahl) from bankruptcy when the bad guys (chiefly Leon Ames) begin a swindle. But, it just never really takes off. Even with Red playing the lead character, and his father, and his grandfather. It almost seemed as if someone said, "We have all these bits. How can we string them together into a film?" No doubt there are some laughs here, including the scene at the doctor's office. And Red is funny. It's the script that poor. Still worth watching though, just for the joy of Red Skelton.

Remake of Buster Keaton's 1928 success "The Cameraman" features Red Skelton at his most amiable, playing a salesman in his family's camera store (Cammeron & Son & Son) who helps the heiress of a major construction company thwart her crooked partner, who's planning on driving her out of business. The plot isn't taken at all seriously; instead, the film is comprised mainly of comic vignettes, some hilarious, with Skelton also playing his own father and wily grandfather. Gets off to a wonderful start, but loses steam along the way despite slapstick climax. The cramped dressing room bit has hardly any relation to the story yet remains a laugh-out-loud highlight, and Ann Miller is a hoot as a beauty contest winner who's always getting slugged. Skelton has some wonderful scenes, double takes, and pratfalls--and, as usual, he's quietly charming while attempting to win over the girl of his dreams. **1/2 from ****

Red Skelton stars in three roles here as members of the Cammeron family, who operate a camera shop. The fun begins when young Rusty Cammeron is hired to film the groundbreaking ceremony of Lucky Vista, a new land development. In doing so, he accidentally captures on film the scheming of some crooked land developers. The best moments come from Skelton's slapstick humor. I also enjoyed his narration of the credits, and the lovely Ann Miller (as Miss Lucky Vista) posing seductively amid a flock of escaped turkeys! This remake of a Buster Keaton classic (The Cameraman) is diverting, if not terribly memorable. Recommended for fans of Skelton. Ann Miller fans won't find her tapping up a storm here, but she's pleasant in her role and shows off those famous legs.