The Wacky Family (1936)

A 1936 short comedy in which a newly promoted manager's big moment unravels when his wife's chaotic family takes over their home.

The Wacky Family - Movie Information

  • Release Year: 1936
  • Directed by: William Watson
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Comedy
  • Runtime: 19m
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • Release Date (Theatrical): September 4, 1936 (United States)
  • Production Companies: Educational Films Corporation of America
  • Production Countries: United States of America

The Wacky Family - Plot

Tim has just been promoted to sales manager and his boss says he will be out to visit Tim and Irene in their new country home to see how his employees live. But Irene's wacky family----Ma, Pa and Brother---have moved in with them and converted the home into a hotel.

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The Wacky Family - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • William Watson

Main Cast

  • Tim Ryan
  • Irene Ryan
  • George Watts
  • Marie Hartman

Writers

  • David Freedman

The Wacky Family - FAQs

What is The Wacky Family about?

The Wacky Family follows Tim, a newly promoted sales manager whose boss is coming to visit his country home. The trouble is, his wife Irene's eccentric relatives — Ma, Pa, and Brother — have moved in and transformed the place into a makeshift hotel, setting the stage for comedic chaos.

Who stars in The Wacky Family?

The film stars Tim Ryan and Irene Ryan in the lead roles, supported by George Watts as Mr. Carr and Marie Hartman as Mrs. Carr. Tim and Irene Ryan were a real-life comedy duo who frequently appeared together in short films during the 1930s.

Who directed The Wacky Family?

The Wacky Family was directed by William Watson, a filmmaker who worked primarily in short-form comedy productions during the 1930s. The film was produced by the Educational Films Corporation of America, a studio known for distributing comedy shorts during that era.

How long is The Wacky Family?

The Wacky Family runs just 19 minutes, making it a short film rather than a feature. That compact runtime was typical for comedy shorts of the 1930s, which were often screened as supporting entertainment before the main feature in movie theaters.

When was The Wacky Family released?

The Wacky Family was released on September 4, 1936, in the United States. It was produced and distributed by the Educational Films Corporation of America, a studio that specialized in short comedy and educational films throughout the 1930s.

Is The Wacky Family based on a true story?

No, The Wacky Family is not based on a true story. It's an original comedy short written by David Freedman, built around a classic fish-out-of-water premise — a man trying to impress his boss while his wife's chaotic family turns their home upside down.

What are some movies similar to The Wacky Family?

If you enjoy the domestic chaos comedy of The Wacky Family, you might like Duplex (2003), Somewhere in Queens (2023), or Good Neighbor Sam (1964). Each of these films mines humor from family dynamics, nosy relatives, and the best-laid plans going hilariously wrong.

Who wrote the screenplay for The Wacky Family?

The screenplay for The Wacky Family was written by David Freedman, a prolific comedy writer of the 1930s who contributed to numerous stage productions, radio shows, and short films. His work often centered on fast-paced situational humor and ensemble family comedy.

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