So Mae is gone, but Joe Rock is still present. Hal Roach may be tight as a stretched drum, but Hal Roach is straight. Joe Rock is swindling his distributors by budgeting for a month’s filming, shooting in just over a week, and pocketing the difference. Joe Rock has to be screwed into his office chair.
But the pictures he makes with Joe Rock are getting better—
Navy Blue Days
The Sleuth
Dr. Pyckle and Mr. Pryde
Half A Man
—even as he counts down the shooting days to freedom. He is still recycling old gags, but he is also creating new ones. He is evolving.
And Hal Roach is monitoring his progress. He will not have to go crawling to Hal Roach once he has tired of Joe Rock.
Because Hal Roach will want him back.