Too Many Cooks (1931)

In the picturesque isolation of the countryside, Al Bennett and Alice Cook are two young lovebirds, joyously crafting their dream home. Their happiness, a tangible testament to Al's hard-earned savings of $7,000, is as vibrant as the walls of their half-built haven. But, like an approaching storm, complications loom when Uncle George, Al's boss and unsuspecting uncle, stumbles upon their abode. Unaware of Al's commitment to Alice, he grandiosely insists on residing with him and presses Al to marry Minnie Spring, a charming damsel he's recently acquainted with, envisioning a harmonious trio under one roof. The plot thickens when Alice's parents, along with a bevy of eleven other relatives, descend upon the budding home, some with the intention of nestling into the couple's life post their nuptials. Buffeted by familial pressures from all sides, an exasperated Al exclaims, "There's too many Cooks!" This leads to a heart-wrenching fallout, with Alice terminating their engagement and George, in a fit of pique, dismissing Al from his job. As if the familial turbulence wasn't enough, the Carpenter's Union declares a strike, leaving the house's destiny hanging in the balance. Yet, an undeterred Al, driven by stubborn resolve, takes up the mantle to complete the house single-handedly. After months of toil and battling loneliness, a dispirited Al puts up the finished house for sale. But as the saying goes, it's always darkest before the dawn, and things begin to look up for our beleaguered hero. Surprisingly resilient and enduring, Al's journey is a testament to the human spirit's ability to rise above life's most challenging interferences.

Too Many Cooks is a comedy movie featuring Erville Alderson and directed by William A. Seiter.

Too Many Cooks is currently streaming on DIRECTV.