Ada, Don't Do That! is a total 1930s riot

Is this movie worth your time today? Absolutely, but only if you aren't looking for something deep or dark. If you like fast-talking comedies and people bursting into song for no reason, you'll have a blast. If you hate old black-and-white films where the sound occasionally crackles like a campfire, stay away.

I wasn't expecting much from a movie made in 1936, but Ada is a mood. She is supposed to be this 'tomboy' because she likes to climb things and sing at the top of her lungs. In modern times, she’d just be a normal teenager, but back then, it was a whole scandal.

The plot is pretty simple. Her dad is this country gentleman who is just tired of her causing a scene. He sends her to a finishing school in the city. You know the type—the kind of place where smiling seems to be against the rules.

The headmistress has this face that looks like she smelled something bad about ten years ago and never got over it. It’s great.

But Ada doesn't get 'finished' at all. She basically infects the other girls with her energy. There’s this one scene in the dormitory that is just pure chaos. It’s suppose to be a quiet night, but it turns into a full-on party.

The Music and the Mess

The songs are catchy, even if you don't speak the language perfectly. You can feel the rhythm. It reminds me a bit of the lightheartedness in He Loops to Conquer, just with more singing.

One thing I noticed is how the camera lingers on Ada’s face when she’s about to do something naughty. You can see the gears turning in her head. Loda Niemirzanka, the actress, has these incredibly expressive eyes.

Sometimes the transitions between scenes are a bit jarring. One minute she’s in a classroom, and the next she’s somehow in a fancy club with a bunch of 'Bohemians.'

The Bohemian crowd is my favorite part. They all wear these floppy hats and talk about art like it’s the only thing that matters. It’s a bit of a cliché, but it works here.

I did find the romance subplot a little thin. The guy she likes is fine, I guess? He’s handsome in that 1930s way where his hair is perfectly slicked back with enough grease to fry an egg. But they don't have as much chemistry as Ada has with, well, a piano.

Specific things I loved:

• The way the girls hide their snacks when the teacher walks in.
• That one song about how Ada 'isn't supposed to' do anything. It stays in your head for days.
• The incredibly fancy hats. Seriously, the hat budget must have been huge.
• A very awkward dance sequence that goes on just a bit too long.

Not Exactly a Masterpiece, But Who Cares?

The movie doesn't try to be a 'profound exploration' of anything. It’s just about a girl who wants to have fun. It’s way more upbeat than something like The Struggle, which is just depressing.

There is a lot of yelling. Like, a lot. People in 1930s Polish comedies seemed to think that being louder meant being funnier. Sometimes it is! Sometimes it’s just a lot of noise.

I noticed a small mistake in one scene where a background extra is clearly looking directly at the camera and smiling. It makes the whole thing feel more human. Like they were all just having a good time on set.

The ending is exactly what you think it will be. No surprises there. But getting there is the fun part.

If you’ve seen Let's Get Married, you’ll recognize the same kind of 'marriage is the ultimate goal' vibe. It's a bit dated, sure. But you have to take it for what it is.

I think I liked the school scenes better than the city scenes. There was something funny about watching these very stiff teachers try to handle a girl who refuses to be stiff.

A few random thoughts:

The dad’s mustache is a character all on its own. It’s very impressive.

The lighting in the nightclub scene is actually pretty cool. It has these long shadows that make it look more expensive than it probably was.

One of the teachers looks exactly like my 3rd-grade math instructor. It was actually a bit triggering.

It’s a short movie, which is a blessing. It doesn't overstay its welcome. It gets in, sings some songs, breaks some rules, and finishes.

I’d say give it a watch if you’re bored on a Sunday afternoon. It’s like a warm cup of cocoa. It’s not a five-course meal, but it’s nice.

Just don't expect it to change your life. It’s just Ada being Ada, and honestly, that’s enough.

Final note: The dress she wears at the end is actually stunning. I wonder if they kept it or if it’s sitting in a museum somewhere in Warsaw now.