BABY TALKS (1929) Sunny Jim McKeen, Charles King & Roger Moore | Comedy | Short | B&W

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In this early sound comedy short, a mild-mannered father (played by Sunny Jim McKeen) finds his quiet home life turned upside down when his infant suddenly begins to “talk”—not in baby babble, but in full-grown, sarcastic adult sentences.

Convinced his baby is a genius, the proud father tries to show off the talking tot to neighbors and friends. But every time someone else is around, the baby stays silent—leading to confusion, embarrassment, and growing suspicion that the father is losing his mind.

Meanwhile, a nosy suitor (Charles King) tries to woo the baby's nursemaid and becomes entangled in the chaos, while a bumbling cop (Roger Moore) is called in after the baby is overheard insulting a neighbor in perfect English.

As misunderstandings pile up, the house erupts in classic slapstick mayhem: spilled bottles, overturned cribs, and a runaway baby carriage. In the final gag, the baby delivers one last punchline to the camera—confirming to the audience that he’s been in control all along.

A clever showcase of early sound-era humor, Baby Talks blends verbal wit with visual slapstick, poking fun at adult egos through the mouth of a mischievous infant.

Synopsis:

In this early Mack Sennett sound comedy, a seemingly ordinary infant shocks his parents by speaking in a clear, sarcastic adult voice. The baffled father (Sunny Jim McKeen) tries to convince everyone that his baby is a genius, but chaos erupts when the baby refuses to “talk” in front of others. As confusion grows, nosy neighbors, a rival suitor (Charles King), and a bumbling cop (Roger Moore) get caught in a whirlwind of misunderstandings and slapstick mishaps.

Packed with gags that play on the novelty of synchronized sound, Baby Talks delivers laughs through fast-paced physical comedy and the absurd idea of a wisecracking infant who may be smarter than all the adults around him.

Cast & Crew:

Sunny Jim McKeen – as the flustered father
Charles King – as the rival suitor or comic sidekick
Roger Moore – as the bumbling policeman or neighbor
Uncredited baby actor – the talking baby (voice likely dubbed by an adult actor)
Uncredited actress – as the nursemaid or mother

Director: Harold Beaudine
Producer: Mack Sennett
Writer: Uncredited (as was common with many Sennett shorts)
Production Company: Mack Sennett Comedies
Distributor: Educational Pictures
Format: Two-reel short (approx. 20 minutes)
Sound: Early synchronized sound (dialogue and effects)