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Nine minutes of 1953 man vs. chair chaos that'll make your IKEA trauma feel valid.
TMDB
73
IMDb
57

Things We Can Do Without (1953)

retro snarkdomestic warfaregadget roast

Overview

Comedy

A Pete Smith Specialty shorts series entry. Dave demonstrates a variety of household items and furniture which, while modern, is much more trouble than the progress is worth.

Flag of USUS
Content warning
short film

Standout Aspects

Acting

Dave O'Brien's silent-era physical comedy chops in full destructive force.

Writing

Pete Smith's narrator commentary—sarcastic grandpa energy before it was cool.

Practical Effects

Genuine 1950s gadgets meeting their violent demise, no CGI required.

Best for:Background: Perfect chaos while folding laundry or ignoring responsibilities.·Friends: Group watch to roast modern 'smart' home failures together.·Rewatch: Catch new gag details in Dave O'Brien's committed physical comedy.
Dave O'Brien

Director

Dave O'Brien

ReleasedDec 5, 1953
Runtime9m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacefast
Intensitymedium
Tonelight
Feellight
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Top Cast

Pete Smith

Pete Smith

Narrator (voice)

Dave O'Brien

Dave O'Brien

Thaddeus E. Thud III

Dorothy Short

Dorothy Short

Mrs. Thud (uncredited)

Ask about Things We Can Do Without

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

This was one of over 200 'Pete Smith Specialties' produced by MGM from 1935-1955, making it one of the longest-running short series in Hollywood history.

Cultural

Dave O'Brien was a B-movie regular who found his calling as the perpetually injured everyman in these shorts—basically the 1950s version of a viral fail compilation star.

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