Monkey Businessmen

Released
February 6, 1926

Starring

 * Farina
 * Jackie
 * Jay R.
 * Joe
 * Johnny
 * Mango
 * Mary
 * Mickey

Story
Farina is upset at the gang for teasing him, and tries to beat them all up. This fails spectacularly, so he goes home and tells Mango he is running away. After a few blocks he runs into an escaped monkey. They become friends, and Farina finds out the monkey is a great fighter. They confront the gang, and find out the monkey can beat the grass skirt off of anybody.

The monkey can also do tricks, so the gang tries to set up a show. However, the monkey gets loose in a big house and causes lots of damage. The police come and lock the gang in a paddy wagon because they are responsible. The monkey pushes the driver out and takes the gang on a wild ride. Eventually they crash into a building. The gang escapes, but steps into wet cement at the back of the paddy wagon.

The cement-footed gang tries to escape, but soon the cement hardens and they can't run anymore. Stuck standing in the street with only grass skirts and cement shoes, the police soon catch up with them. There is some discussion as to what would make a suitable punishment, and the town comes up with a most poetic justice. After the cement shoes are chipped away, the gang is sentenced to thirty days in zoo cages made up for monkeys.

Each cage has a tree with good branches, and a pile of hay in a back corner to sleep on or in, in case the prisoners prefer burrowing as an attempt for shelter. The inmates aren’t fed regularly; instead they have to beg for food by performing for the zoo patrons. Antics include climbing on the trees or cage bars, swinging on vines and branches, and making monkey gestures and noises. Visitors throw mostly bananas into the cages, but other items often enough so that gang has a sufficiently balanced diet and never go hungry. Mango has an exceptionally good time teasing Farina.

One good note is after the month-long incarceration, Joe has lost five pounds. When the gang is released one policeman says to another, “That oughta teach those delinquents a lesson.” A nearby reporter thinks he hears Jackie mutter, “Ha! Not very likely.”