DbcultAccessing Vault...
Director's Spotlight
Archivist John
Senior Editor
Director's Spotlight: United States
A Deep Dive into the 1927 Vision of Francis Corby
Peeling back the layers of Francis Corby's What'll You Have? exposes the technical innovation that Francis Corby introduced to the Short format. Driven by an uncompromising commitment to Short excellence, it stands as the definitive 1927 statement on Short identity.
In What'll You Have?, Francis Corby pushes the boundaries of conventional narrative. The film's unique approach to its subject matter has sparked endless debates and interpretations among cinephiles and critics alike.
| Cinematography | Handheld |
| Soundtrack | Minimalist |
| Editing | Slow-Burn |
| Art Direction | Brutalist |
Visualizing the convergence of Francis Corby's style and the core Short narrative.
Charlie is clerking in a soda establishment patronized by college girls. Here he meets a pretty heiress and insists on accompanying her home, and plays Sir Walter Raleigh at a muddy crossing so that she can mount the taxi. Quite a stir of funny action takes place at the store when Charlie is trying to disguise himself in order not to be recognized by the heiress. Comedy winds up in a riot of fun when he takes the girl home and there beats up a couple of burglars in a Van Bibber style, is acclaimed hero, and receives a fat check from the girl's father. Of course Charlie claims the girl also, so he gets both.
Decades after its release, What'll You Have? remains a vital piece of the cinematic puzzle. Its influence can be seen in countless modern works, solidifying Francis Corby's status as a master of the craft in United States and beyond.