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5.8/10
Archivist John
Senior Editor
A definitive 5.8/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Abe Lyman and His Orchestra remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Alright, so we’re talking about a film that's essentially a musical short from way back. Is Abe Lyman and His Orchestra worth watching today? Honestly, probably not if you're looking for a Friday night popcorn flick. But if you’re deep into early jazz, or just fascinated by the history of how sound films got started, then yeah, it’s a neat little piece of the past. Anyone else? You’ll probably find it a bit… slow. 🕰️
This is just Abe Lyman and his band, doing their thing. They play a few numbers: "Waters of the Perkiomen," then "Did You Mean It?" and finally, "Varsity Drag." It’s all very straightforward. You see the musicians, they play their instruments, and the camera just kinda hangs there, watching.
The first number, "Waters of the Perkiomen," has this really gentle, almost swaying feel to it. You can see the trombone player on the left, he’s got this slight head bob going. Nothing too wild, but he seems to be enjoying himself, lost in the rhythm. The sound, for how old this thing is, isn't half bad, though there’s that undeniable crackle of age around the edges. It kinda makes you lean in closer.
Then comes "Did You Mean It?" and the mood shifts a bit more sentimental. Lyman himself, standing front and center, conducts with these almost *too* precise movements. His smile, sometimes, it looks a little pasted on, like he’s trying really hard to project a certain kind of warmth for the camera. You almost feel the weight of early cinema expectations on his shoulders. One of the violinists in the back, though, she just looks bored. Completely zoned out. 😂
The whole setup looks like it could be on a stage somewhere, but the background is super plain. Like a dark curtain pulled tight. It keeps the focus on the band, which is good, I guess. But you do wonder if they just threw this together in a corner of a studio lot. No frills at all. It's very much about the sound, not the spectacle.
When they get to "Varsity Drag," you expect things to really kick off, right? It’s a drag, a dance. And it *is* the most energetic of the bunch. The drummer gets a very, very brief moment here, a quick flurry on the snare. But the camera doesn't really know what to do with it. It just kinda… stays put. You can almost feel the movie trying to convince you this moment matters, but the static camera doesn’t quite help it along.
What stuck with me, a small thing, was how all the musicians are dressed. Suits, ties, perfectly coiffed hair. It’s so formal. Even for a performance. Makes you think about how different things were. Like, this wasn't just some casual jam session. This was a *recorded event*. A moment captured.
It’s not a film you analyze for deep themes or character arcs, obviously. It’s a snapshot. A glimpse into a time when capturing sound on film was still pretty novel. It’s got that raw, experimental feel. Like they were still figuring things out. And that’s what makes it kinda charming, in its own way. If you like old music, give it a whirl. Otherwise, maybe just read about it. 😉
IMDb —
1927
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