A Quiet Fourth 1941
Edgar Kennedy and Sally Payne star in *A Quiet Fourth* (1941), a brisk 15-minute comedy from director Harry D'Arcy that turns a simple Fourth of July picnic into a chaotic battle against overwhelming noise.
Director: Harry D'Arcy
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is *A Quiet Fourth* (1941) about?
The film follows Edgar Kennedy as a man desperate to escape his town's boisterous Fourth of July fireworks. Convinced the countryside will offer peace, he chooses a picnic spot dangerously close to an Army artillery range. What unfolds is a fast-paced comedy of errors fueled by Edgar's poor planning and the relentless interference of well-meaning neighbors.
Who directed *A Quiet Fourth*?
Harry D'Arcy directed this 1941 short comedy, bringing a sharp eye for timing and visual gags to the screen.
Who stars in *A Quiet Fourth*?
The film stars Edgar Kennedy as the beleaguered protagonist, alongside Sally Payne as his patient wife, Jack Rice, Pat Taylor, Frankie Ward, and Charlie Hall in a lively supporting role.
Is *A Quiet Fourth* (1941) worth watching?
As a 15-minute slapstick comedy from the early 1940s, it delivers nostalgia, sharp physical comedy, and a quirky wartime setting that sets it apart from typical holiday-themed shorts. Its brevity and humor make it a fun watch for fans of classic cinema and Edgar Kennedy's work.
How long is *A Quiet Fourth*?
The runtime of *A Quiet Fourth* is 15 minutes.
About A Quiet Fourth (1941) — A 15-Minute Comedy Classic of Misplaced Picnics
Edgar Kennedy and Sally Payne star in *A Quiet Fourth* (1941), a brisk 15-minute comedy from director Harry D'Arcy that turns a simple Fourth of July picnic into a chaotic battle against overwhelming noise. Eager to escape the town's deafening fireworks, Edgar persuades his wife and her brother to join him for a serene drive into the countryside—only to choose a picnic spot right on the edge of an active Army artillery range. What begins as a hopeful quest for peace quickly spirals into a slapstick showcase of Edgar's misjudgment, as he grapples with overenthusiastic neighbors and a setting that refuses to cooperate with his good intentions.
The short film blends classic slapstick humor with the playful absurdity of mid-century wartime settings, delivering laughs through Edgar's increasingly frantic efforts to reclaim calm. Kennedy's signature timing and the supporting cast's energetic reactions anchor the film's lighthearted tone, while the open-air artillery range setting adds a unique, almost surreal backdrop that underscores the film's theme: the best-laid plans often go awry in the most unpredictable ways.