Considering the chemistry that Thelma Todd had with the Marx Brothers in Horsefeathers, also from 1932, it is interesting to compare her scenes with Keaton with those of Groucho. Chico, and even Zeppo. It doesn't help that this is a drinking scene, and perhaps something other than tea had been placed in the decanters. Todd's reactions are great, nonetheless, if somewhat lost in the medium shots. And Spite Marriage is used again for material, however briefly, in getting her to stand up near the end.
What rhythm the scene has is broken with the extended insert of the cuckoo clock, no matter how clever the swirling effect, and the class agreed that one clumsy backflip over the sofa was quite enough. So out came the scissors, and everyone had fun resizing those master shots!
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