Frank Borzage's early auteur films are fascinating (he's the lead actor and director). I've often felt a tinge of the monstrous in his later work, where he could feel the need to expound on his pretty fanatical views on existence by use of contrast (particularly in Lazybones). Borzage believed in characters, in integrity, exuberance, audacity, and charm. These first films steer clear of the more antithetical characters such as the Carpenter from Liliom, punch-drunk lonely losers for whom Borzage had no pity.Nugget Jim's pardner (Borzage), is an easy-come-easy-go character, an heirling who has worn through the last of pater's patience, eaten through his allowance of allowances. Off he pops, after one last drunken hurrah, to makes his living way out west. He teams up with a prospector and his daughter and they develop a happy family situation. Whilst funny, the film has more going for it than laughs, it's essentially existential, and demonstrates that people rather than cash money are real wealth. The way this sunbeam errant behaves, the way he smiles and laughs good-naturedly whatever the situation is a joy to behold. I'd add that Borzage can really act, his drunk walk is something else (or maybe he just got crocked beforehand!).The ending is one of the best endings to a film I've seen, full of hope, joy, and new, fresh life. It's a pretty good idea for this sort of thing to be accompanied by banjo, or some sort of old time music (piano doesn't do it justice).

The above remark is not a slam against Mr. Brinkley. He was a fine news reporter but he just isn't a name one associates with comedy--that is why I made the comparison. If you'd like, substitute your own unfunny name instead (such as Queen Elizabeth, C. Everett Koop or George Wallace (the Governor, not the comedian)).I recently have rented several DVDs from Netflix that fall under the title "Old Time Comedy Classics". I know they have at least eight DVDs, as this is volume 8. The previous DVDs were earlier issues and were a good bit funnier than those in volume 8, though I still haven't been all that impressed with any of the entries. It seems that these are all lesser-known silent comedies and I can easily see why they aren't as well known--most just aren't that funny.Of all the films in this installment, HUGGET JIM'S PARDNER is the least funny...by far. In fact, the film seems to have no intention of being funny and I just assume by volume 8 they ran out of comedies and just shoved in any old film they could find.The film is about Nugget Jim and his young partner. Jim treats the partner pretty badly until eventually the partner fights back and stands up to the jerk. Wow....this is about as good as it gets. No laughs, no suspense and no particular reason to watch it.