Southern Exposure

Genre: Comedy
Released: 1935
Directed by: Charley Chase
Starring: Charley Chase, Constance Bergen
Alfalfa portrays: Pint-sized horsebacked telegram messenger
Alfalfa's screen time: 20 seconds
Lines of dialogue spoken by Alfalfa: 3

Alfalfa arrives to deliver a bogus telegram to Charley Chase.
Click to enlarge.

Charley Chase plays an attorney in this short. He brings his wife down to his old family homestead in the deep south for some much-needed rest and relaxation, but before long he and his wife realize that they have made a dreadful mistake. Conditions at his vacation spot are primitive, to say the least. In addition, the locals seem a bit suspicious of their Yankee visitor, and the feeling is mutual. But, afraid to insult his hosts, Chase—who is addressed as "Colonel" by the locals— concocts a scheme whereby he will send himself a telegram, ostensibly from his law firm back in the city, ordering him to cut his vacation short and return at once.

A tiny Alfalfa delivers the telegram on a slow-moving horse. Smacking the nag on the rump with a stick, he then stops the horse to shout out that he has a message.

Alfalfa: Whoa, Jenny...Hey!— here's a telegram for Colonel Chase!!


"Whoa, Jenny!" Click to enlarge.

As soon as he delivers his line, he can't resist attending to a small matter inside his nose...


When ya' gotta, ya' gotta. Click to enlarge.

Chase and his wife run out from their cabin in mock surprise to collect the message. As Chase reads the telegram, Alfalfa is anxious for his tip.

Alfalfa: How'd I do?

Chase's wife, afraid that he will spill the beans, gives him his tip.

Alfalfa's appearance in "Southern Exposure" is brief but priceless. Looking ant-like on the large horse he rides into town, his exuberant "Hey!— here's a telegram for Colonel Chase!!" is one of our favorite Alfalfa moments. Adding to the offbeat charm is Alfalfa's quick excursion inside his nose just before the shot ends. Consistent with the Hal Roach Studios tradition, this extra bit of realism was retained in the final edit, lending a quirky but very funny touch of credibility to the scene.

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