Yes, that drunk scene was amazing. Thelma Todd rarely got a chance to do full-on slapstick, but turned out to be a worthy partner to Keaton.

I wish they'd been paired again. I'm not sure I've ever seen Todd in anything where—regardless of my feelings about the rest of the movie—I didn't like her.

Personally, I could have done without remotely so much of the "look how awful these performers are" gag.

I didn't find there to be so much of it after the introduction, but I will grant that if it didn't work for you, any might have been too much.

Todd is largely wasted in a single prologue scene where she plays the Bad Girl. Durante was actually pretty funny as a boxing coach who has a heart of gold underneath his relentless dishonesty.

I'm sorry to hear about Todd, but for Durante I might watch it if it ever turns up near me.