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6/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. A Lesson in Love remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Okay, so A Lesson in Love is one of those tiny film relics you stumble upon. Is it worth watching today? Only if you’re a serious Helen Kane enthusiast. Like, truly dedicated. Otherwise, it’s a quick, peculiar little short, a slice of early sound-era filmmaking that mostly just… exists. If you’re into super-short, delightfully dated musical bits, you might get a kick out of its innocent charm. But don’t go in expecting anything groundbreaking or deep.
If complex plots or rich character studies are your thing, this movie isn't it. You’ll probably find yourself a bit confused, maybe even annoyed, by how quickly everything moves. It’s a very specific taste, a fleeting moment in cinema history.
Helen Kane plays Helen Lane, a college student who has this massive crush on her psychology teacher, Professor Hotchiss, played by Donald Kirke. She even bumbles his name once, calling him "Professor Hot Kiss." 🤭 It's a really sweet, almost embarrassing moment that sets up her character right away.
Helen is, let’s just say, *not* a great student. She’s constantly disrupting the class. The professor, bless his heart, is clearly short-tempered with her. He ends up kicking her out of the class pretty fast, and you can practically feel his frustration.
Millard Mitchell is also in there somewhere, but honestly, this short is all about Helen. The other actors just sort of orbit her.
Despite being thrown out of class, Helen just can't shake her feelings for Professor Hotchiss. We jump to a school dance, and boom, she bumps into him again. And then, out of nowhere, they just… confess their love for one another. It's incredibly sudden. One minute he's annoyed, the next they're madly in love. The shift is almost comical in its speed.
You can almost feel the movie trying to convince you this moment *really* matters, even though it’s over in a flash. It’s like the writers realized they only had a few minutes left.
Then comes the centerpiece: Helen sings a song for the professor called "I Love Myself Cause You Love Me." 🎶 It's pure Helen Kane, full of her signature baby-talk voice and playful delivery. The lyrics are exactly what you'd expect from the title, a real self-love anthem, but through the lens of being loved by someone else.
Her performance is the most vibrant part of the whole short. She lights up the screen, and you totally get why she was such a star. It’s a catchy tune, something that sticks in your head for a bit.
Right after her song, the professor wastes no time. He proposes to her, and she accepts. Just like that. It’s probably one of the fastest engagements in film history. No lingering questions, no drawn-out decision. Just immediate, joyful acceptance. It almost makes you laugh at how abrupt it all is.
Ultimately, A Lesson in Love is a very slight film. It’s a vehicle for Helen Kane’s unique persona and singing style, and on that front, it delivers. Everything else is secondary, almost an afterthought. It’s a charming piece of early talkie fluff, but don’t expect it to change your life.
It’s a fun watch if you’re curious about Helen Kane, or just want to see how quickly a romance can develop (and conclude!) in a five-minute film.
IMDb —
1921
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