Monkeying Around

Percival "Percy" Putterfield (Bud Jamison), a well-meaning but perpetually clumsy suitor vying for the affections of the discerning Miss Penelope Featherbottom (Alice Davenport), inadvertently triggers a cascade of chaos when the prized, remarkably mischievous capuchin monkey, Lord Bumbles, absconds from the opulent estate of the formidable socialite, Mrs. Octavia Van Der Groschen (Louise Carver). Percy, caught in the crossfire of Mrs. Van Der Groschen's furious accusations and Penelope's disapproving glances, embarks on a desperate, farcical quest to recapture the elusive primate. The ensuing pandemonium unfolds across a vibrant tapestry of urban settings: a bustling city park transforms into a frantic chase arena, a high-society tea party descends into a pastry-pilfering free-for-all, and a meticulously organized department store becomes the stage for a grand, anarchic redecoration by the simian escapee. Percy's every bumbling attempt at retrieval is expertly undermined by his own ineptitude, the conniving interference of his dandyish rival, Reginald "Reggie" Witherbottom (James T. Kelley), and the sheer, unpredictable genius of Lord Bumbles's escapades. The escalating mayhem culminates in a grand charity gala, where the dignified affair devolves into a spectacular ballet of pratfalls, mistaken identities, and airborne fruit, as Percy, Reggie, and a bewildered contingent of local constabulary (led by Al Alt) engage in a final, frenetic pursuit. Through an improbable series of slapstick misadventures, Percy, despite his initial blunders, stumbles into an accidental heroism, ultimately securing Lord Bumbles and, perhaps more surprisingly, a grudging, if bewildered, respect from Penelope.