Summary
Oh, Baby! is a 1926 comedy film that follows the antics of a diminutive manager, Billy, who poses as a woman to help his prizefighter, Jim Stone, win the heavyweight championship. The film is a delightful blend of slapstick humor, gender-bending, and the charm of early Hollywood. Billy, played by Grantland Rice, navigates a series of comedic situations, from being put to bed by a young companion to crashing a boxing match in a frilly dress. The film culminates in a heartwarming reunion that resolves the central premise in a way that feels both fresh and nostalgic for modern audiences. Despite its age, the film remains a charming example of early American cinema, full of surprises and delightful performances.
Synopsis
Billy, a diminutive manager of prizefighters, is priming Jim Stone for the heavyweight championship, when Charley Burns discloses that for the past 8 years he has invented a mythical wife and daughter for the benefit of his Aunt Phoebe, who now requests a visit from them. He finally persuades Billy to pose as his daughter, Evangeline, while Miss Brennan, a magazine writer, consents to take the role of his wife. Billy narrowly escapes the ordeal of being put to bed by Miss Bond, Aunt Phoebe's young companion; later, he dons his pink dress and orders his chauffeur to race to New York. At Madison Square Garden, Jim is panic-stricken as Billy fails to show up, but after many humorous incidents, Billy, in a party dress and blonde wig, manages to crash the gate and call instructions to Jim in the ring. Jim wins the bout, and Billy's identity is discovered. Meanwhile, Aunt Phoebe learns from Charley's butler that he has no family; she tracks him to the Garden, and then to a nightclub, where all are happily united.
