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Cult Review
Senior Film Conservator
Alright, so, America or Bust. Is this one worth digging up today? Honestly, for most folks, probably not. If you’re not already into early cinema, specifically that slightly clumsy, earnest period where they were figuring things out, you’ll probably just find it slow. But if you've got a soft spot for silent-era antics or just curious about how films used to feel, there’s a surprising amount of heart in this quirky little picture. Anyone looking for modern pacing or pristine production values? Run for the hills. 🏃♀️
The whole thing feels like a dusty old road trip movie, even though it's not always clear where exactly they're headed. Or why. It's got this ensemble cast, a bunch of familiar faces from the era if you know 'em, just kind of… bouncing off each other. You get Dick Stewart doing his usual everyman exasperation, which is always a treat. He’s got this great way of looking like the weight of the world just landed on his shoulders, even when he’s just trying to tie his shoe. You feel it. 😔
And then there’s Buster Slaven. Oh, man. He’s a hoot. He plays this character, I think his name was Gus, who’s just perpetually confused and a little bit too eager. There’s a scene where he tries to fix a sputtering car engine with a wrench and a banana. A banana! The sheer audacity of it, even if it's played for laughs, kinda sticks with you. It’s so absurd, but the earnestness on his face makes it almost believable, for a second.
The film’s pacing is… well, it’s a product of its time. Some scenes just drift. You get these long takes of people walking, or staring off into the distance, and you just kinda have to let it wash over you. There’s a particular shot of Norma Leslie, looking out of a train window, and it goes on for what feels like a full minute. No dialogue, no real action, just her quiet gaze. It’s almost meditative. Or maybe the director just liked the light that day. Who knows?
Daphne Pollard, always a standout, brings a much-needed spark whenever she’s on screen. She plays a character who’s trying to sell some kind of questionable tonic, and her sales pitch is a masterclass in flailing desperation. You can tell she’s *really* trying to sell it, even if the whole thing is just a bit of a scam. Her expressions are just gold; she doesn't even need words to convey 'panicked optimist.' 😂
One detail that really got me was this one brief shot of a dog, just sitting patiently by a suitcase on the side of a dusty road. The dog isn’t part of the main group, doesn’t seem to have any plot relevance. It’s just there, observing the chaos. It’s such a tiny, throwaway moment, but it felt so real, almost like a glimpse into a parallel, quieter story happening just off-screen.
The whole 'bust' part of the title certainly comes through. There are multiple moments where plans just fall apart, hilariously and sometimes a little sadly. One sequence involves a rickety bridge collapsing under the weight of a barely-functional truck. The practical effects there are surprisingly effective, for the time. You actually feel a little worried for the truck, even though you know it’s all staged. It’s a good bit of chaos. 💥
It’s not a film that tries to be deep or profound. It’s more about the journey itself, the little scrapes and misunderstandings along the way. The performances, especially from the more comedic actors like Jimmy Aubrey and Bobby Dunn, lean heavily into exaggerated physical comedy. They’re like cartoon characters come to life, constantly tripping over their own feet or getting into silly arguments over trivial things. There's a particular scene where Aubrey tries to share a single sandwich with Dunn, and it devolves into a wrestling match. It's just delightful nonsense. 🥪🤼
You can see the filmmakers experimenting, trying different things. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t quite land. But that’s part of its charm. It feels alive, like they’re making it up as they go along, just like the characters are. It’s a snapshot of a different era of filmmaking, full of ambition and a healthy dose of slapstick.
It's an odd one, America or Bust. Not a masterpiece by any stretch, but definitely a curious watch for those who appreciate the quirks of cinema's past. It leaves you with a feeling, not a message. More like a pleasant, slightly bewildered sigh. 😊
IMDb —
1919
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