Another Wild Idea: When Slapstick Goes Science Fiction

Is it worth your time?

If you have a soft spot for 1930s slapstick and don't mind a plot that makes absolutely zero sense, you’ll probably have a blast with Another Wild Idea. It’s short, it’s frantic, and it features Charley Chase just being his usual nervous-energy self. If you prefer your comedies to have, I don't know, a logical progression of events, you should probably skip this one. It feels like a fever dream written on a napkin.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Another Wild Idea (1934) through its definitive frames.

The whole premise is built around this ridiculous ray-gun invention that emits 'ultra-lavender' light. It’s basically a magical plot device to make the main character stop being a wimp. It’s the kind of logic you’d expect from Kid Hayseed, except with more electricity and fewer farm animals.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Another Wild Idea (1934) through its definitive frames.

Watching Charley go from a total milquetoast to a guy who starts swinging at police officers is genuinely funny. There’s this one moment where he’s sitting there looking completely confused by his own newfound aggression. It felt like he was improvising the physical comedy on the spot, which is where he usually shines brightest. He really sells the transformation, even if the special effects are just some flickering light and a bad filter.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Another Wild Idea (1934) through its definitive frames.

The pacing is a total disaster, but in a way that kind of works for this type of short. Scenes just end whenever they feel like it, and sometimes it feels like they cut the film mid-sentence. It’s jarring, but it kept me from ever getting bored. It’s not exactly the deep character study you'd find in Great Expectations, that’s for sure.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Another Wild Idea (1934) through its definitive frames.

The courtroom scene at the end is pure chaos. It’s just people yelling, running around, and falling over things for five minutes straight. I think I saw Billy Gilbert in the background doing his usual grumpy bit, which is always a treat. It’s the kind of scene where you can tell the director just let the cameras roll and told everyone to make as much noise as possible. 🤡

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Another Wild Idea (1934) through its definitive frames.

Honestly, the movie is a bit of a mess. The science is laughable, and the father character is just straight-up villainous for no real reason. But for all its flaws, it’s got this weird, kinetic energy that’s hard to hate. It’s not trying to be a masterpiece; it’s trying to be a laugh-getter before the main feature starts.

Some observations I jotted down:

• The 'ultra-lavender' ray looks remarkably like a glorified flashlight with a piece of colored glass taped to it.
• The transition between shy Charley and 'tough guy' Charley is so abrupt it gave me whiplash.
• I’m pretty sure someone trips over the same prop twice in the final sequence.
• The judge has the most confused expression I’ve seen in a classic comedy all year.

It’s not high art. It’s barely even a coherent movie. But if you’re a fan of the era, you’ll find enough little moments to make it worth the watch. Just don't think about the physics of the ray gun too hard, or you'll be here all night.