The Plumbers Are Coming: A Tipsy, Silly Heist That's Kinda Fun

So, 'The Plumbers Are Coming' – *is it worth it*? Look, if you’re into old-school, slightly daffy comedies where the plot is mostly an excuse for shenanigans, you might get a kick out of this one. It’s a real throwback.

But if you need sharp wit or a super tight script, you’ll probably find yourself checking your watch. It’s definitely not for everyone. Think of it as a gentle diversion, not a laugh-out-loud riot.

A Simple Plan, Gone Sour (and Boozy)

The premise is pretty straightforward. Two bumbling thieves, played by Leo A. Kennedy and Doris McMahon, snag some plumber's gear. Then a job call comes in. And because *why not*, they decide to take it.

You can almost hear the movie saying, 'Let’s see how much trouble we can get these two into.' It’s a classic setup.

That moment when Leo A. Kennedy’s character, Gus, glances at the fancy gold faucet in the rich guy’s bathroom? You can practically see the dollar signs spinning in his eyes. Just a quick flash, but it tells you everything you need to know about these two.

And the butler, George LeMaire, playing it so straight. He’s almost too good at being a stuffy butler. You know, the kind who *knows* something is off but can’t quite put his finger on it. His face when they first show up? Priceless. 🤨

The decision to actually *take* the plumbing job... that’s where the movie kinda leans into its own absurdity. They're thieves! Not handy-dandy repairmen. It makes you chuckle, if only for how brazenly stupid it is.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of The Plumbers Are Coming (1929) through its definitive frames.

The whole setup just screams 'old silent film era gone talkie.' The pacing feels like that sometimes. A little stretched. Then boom, they're in the basement.

The Best Kind of Trap

And *what* a basement. Not just tools, but a whole stash of what looks like… *cognac*? Or something equally high-shelf. The thieves, locked in, quickly ditch the heist for the spirits.

Doris McMahon’s reactions to the liquor are genuinely funny. She starts off all proper, then slowly, surely, she just *melts* into the moment. It’s not a grand comedic performance, but it’s *real* in its way. You really feel her character giving in to temptation. 🍷

The movie almost forgets about the actual plumbing job. It’s more about these two getting increasingly tipsy and trapped. The clinking of bottles, the muffled laughter through the thick door. It's kinda sweet, in a weird way, watching them give up on their grand plan for a good time.

You know, you could compare it to some of those other early crime capers, like maybe Der Streik der Diebe, which had a similar light touch with its crooks. But this one feels a bit more contained, almost like a stage play.

One thing I kept thinking: the rich house itself. It felt a bit… empty. Like the owners just had money but no real personality. Just a backdrop for these two goofballs. The grand staircase looked like it hadn't seen a person in weeks.

Final Thoughts on a Forgettable Fun

The ending? Well, it wraps up exactly as you’d expect for a film of this type. No big surprises, no deep moral lessons. Just a gentle fade out, leaving you with the image of two happy, slightly fuzzy thieves. 😅 It doesn’t try to do too much, and for that, I kinda respect it.

If you've got an hour to kill and fancy something incredibly low-stakes and a bit silly, this might just hit the spot. Just don't expect it to change your life. It’s more like a pleasant, slightly inebriated chuckle.