Today, more famous for being the voice of George Jetson, George O'Hanlon portrayed everyman Joe McDoakes in sixty shorts from 1942 till 1956. "So You Want To Build A House" is typical of these one-reelers filled with lowbrow slapstick and often corny humor, yet still harmless fun for the family getting ready for the main feature to begin.
Made in post-World War II America when returning servicemen and their families (the baby boomers) were searching for homes during a national housing shortage, "So You Want To Build A House" was timely and even lampooned the prefab craze of the day.
While no Groucho Marx, George O'Hanlon had his moments, plus he fit his character well, actually looking and acting like a Joe McDoakes. His devoted wife, Alice (Jane Harker), stood by her man through all Joe's mishaps. Many times narrator Art Gilmore would interject comments, making transitions from one misadventure to another easier for the audience to comprehend.
"So You Want To Build A House" has several colorful characters thrown in to add to the shenanigans, a particular delight is Happy Jack the Laughing Irishman (Ralph Peters), a typical loan shark who nearly dies laughing as he attempts to send Joe to the poor house.