Ultra-Rare Pre-Code Comedies, Volume 4

TICKLISH BUSINESS (1929): Monte Collins and Vernon Dent are struggling songwriters with an eye for the girls in the chorus line. Directed by Stephen Roberts.

HIGH TONED (1930): John William Sublett and Ford Washington Lee were a black song-and-dance team who went by the name of "Buck and Bubbles". In this short (one of six they made for Pathe) Bubbles comes back from the war only to find an effete snob has stolen his job and his girlfriend! Based on a story by Hugh Wiley (creator of Mr. Wong, Detective.) Directed by Paul Powell.

HOW COMEDIES ARE BORN (1931): A frustrated screenwriter asks Harry Sweet and Harry Gribbon for help writing a comedy. Directed by Harry Sweet.

IT'S A CINCH (1932): After he's fired from a vaudeville show, Monte Collins takes a swing at being a boxer. Directed by Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, using the alias William Goodrich. According to the press release from Educational Pictures, he "rounded up the eight prettiest girls in Hollywood" for the film shoot.

HOT HOOFS (1933): George Moran and Charles Mack were a popular comedy duo in the 20s and early 30s. They were dubbed "The Two Black Crows" because they performed entirely in blackface. In this short -- one of only two they made for Educational Pictures -- the Crows try to make a fortune gambling at the horse races. Also featuring Iris Lancaster (also in blackface) and Wheeler Oakman. Directed by Harry Edwards.

NIFTY NURSES (1934): Singing (and scantily-clad) nurses help blundering doctor Billy Gilbert with the operation of a lifetime. Also starring Johnny Downs and Sally Sweet. Directed by Leigh Jason.

BONUS: THE AMERICAN EXPLORER: MANHATTAN SPECIAL (1934): Broadway columnist and bon vivant Leo Donnelly provides a tour of 1930s New York City, complete with politically-incorrect observations about the diverse ethnicities present.

COMING: BEN TURPIN IN PERSON (1934): A brief outtake from a Hollywood on Parade short featuring silent comedy legend Ben Turpin.

From the Collection of John K. Carpenter, 'The Movie Man.' Note: Due to the age and rarity of these films, some picture and sound anomalies exist.

• comedy