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5.8/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.8/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. 6 Cylinder Love remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Okay, so 6 Cylinder Love from 1931. Is it worth tracking down today? Hmm. If you're into early talkies, especially comedies that poke fun at money woes and keeping up appearances, you might get a kick out of it. Think pre-Code vibes but less scandalous, more relatable domestic squabbles. If you're expecting modern pacing or high stakes, you'll probably find it pretty slow. Definitely not for someone who can't stand old film conventions.
The Sterling couple, Gilbert and Marilyn. They're just trying to be fancy, you know? They buy this big, expensive car, and it just kicks off a whole mess of problems. It’s like the car itself is a curse. 🚗💨
Their friends, all of a sudden, want rides everywhere. Gilbert, played by Edward Everett Horton, has that wonderfully flustered, slightly bewildered look he does so well. He's always on the edge of a nervous breakdown. Marilyn, played by Sidney Fox, well, she's trying her best but oh dear. She has an accident, and Gilbert's boss gets roped in for the money. Five thousand dollars! That was a fortune back then. You can practically see Gilbert's wallet crying.
The whole thing feels like a stage play. Lots of dialogue, people popping in and out of rooms. The scene where Gilbert has to ask his boss for the money is classic. Horton's face during that request? Priceless. You just feel for the guy, even though he kinda brought it on himself trying to impress folks.
And Una Merkel, she's in there too, as Doris. She always brightens up a scene. Not a huge role, but her delivery, even in small moments, has this perfect snark. You sometimes forget how much personality some of these supporting players brought to early sound films.
Spencer Tracy is also listed, but honestly, he's barely there. A blink-and-you-miss-it kind of role. If you're watching for him specifically, you'll be disappointed. This isn't his movie at all. He's just... a guy.
The core idea, about how wanting something shiny and expensive can mess up your whole life, it still lands. Even if the way they get into trouble feels a bit drawn out sometimes. The film really takes its time setting up the dominoes.
Then they sell the car. To the janitor! That's the punchline, isn't it? After all that drama, all that scrambling, the shiny status symbol ends up with the guy who cleans the floors. It’s a neat little circle. Almost makes you chuckle at their plight. Almost.
Some of the acting feels a bit stiff. It's 1931, so the sound equipment was still tricky. You can see actors having to hit their marks precisely, speak clearly. It's a different rhythm. Not like the fast-paced chatter we're used to now.
The whole movie just feels like a cautionary tale wrapped in a light comedy. Don't buy what you can't afford. Simple as that. The Sterlings learn it the hard way. And honestly, it’s a lesson many of us still need to learn. Maybe that’s why it still holds a tiny bit of charm. 😊
IMDb 5.4
1927
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