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7.4/10
Archivist John
Senior Editor
A definitive 7.4/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Are Brunettes Safe? remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Is Are Brunettes Safe? still worth watching nearly a century after its release? Short answer: yes, but primarily for those who appreciate the architectural logic of silent-era gag construction and the specific, high-strung energy of Charley Chase.
This film is for the cinephile who enjoys seeing a protagonist slowly realize they have walked into a buzzsaw of their own making. It is NOT for those who require modern pacing or high-definition clarity to find humor in the human condition.
1) This film works because Charley Chase’s ability to pivot from smug confidence to sheer, eye-bulging panic is a masterclass in physical timing.
2) This film fails because the plot relies on a series of coincidences that even for 1927 feel slightly strained and under-explained.
3) You should watch it if you want to see the DNA of modern 'cringe' comedy being formed in the crucible of the Hal Roach studios.
The concept of the 'Double' is a recurring motif in silent cinema, often used to explore the fragility of identity. In 'Are Brunettes Safe?', Charley Chase takes this trope and turns it into a frantic survival game. Unlike the more dramatic treatment of the double in The Price of Fame, Chase treats the impersonation as a purely mechanical problem. How does one walk like a criminal? How does one react when a stranger punches you in the face for a debt you didn't incur?
The film excels in its middle act, where Charley enters a high-stakes environment believing he is the hunter, only to realize he is the prey. There is a specific moment where Charley, dressed in Gordon's fine clothes, attempts to charm a room full of people, only to have the camera pull back and reveal the police standing at the door. It’s a classic beat, but Chase sells it with a subtle drop of the jaw that feels surprisingly modern. It’s a trap. And he’s a ghost in another man’s suit.
Produced during the golden age of the Hal Roach studios, the film benefits from a crispness of direction that many of its contemporaries lacked. While The Affairs of Anatol focused on high-society opulence, 'Are Brunettes Safe?' stays grounded in the gritty, fast-paced streets and claustrophobic interiors of the urban landscape. The pacing is relentless. Once the mistaken identity is established, the film doesn't stop to catch its breath.
The cinematography by the Roach regulars is functional yet effective. They use the deep focus of the era to ensure that the background action—often a looming threat or a secondary gag—is just as clear as Chase’s foreground antics. This multi-layered storytelling is what separates a standard short from a classic. For instance, in the chase sequence through the crowded apartment, the way the extras move in counter-rhythm to Chase creates a visual dissonance that heightens the anxiety of the scene.
Charley Chase was never as physically explosive as Buster Keaton or as sentimental as Chaplin. His comedy was derived from the 'polite man in an impolite world.' In this film, he pushes that persona to its breaking point. When he is mistaken for Bud Gordon, he doesn't immediately resort to slapstick; he tries to 'act' his way out of it. This meta-layer—an actor playing a character who is also acting—is where the film finds its depth.
The supporting cast, including the reliable Charlie Hall and Jean Darling, provide the necessary friction. Hall, in particular, serves as the perfect foil. Every time Chase thinks he has gained the upper hand, Hall’s presence reminds the audience of the impending doom. It is a dynamic we see repeated in other shorts like Trouble Brewing, but here it feels more personal, more urgent.
Yes, 'Are Brunettes Safe?' is a vital piece of comedic history. It demonstrates how a simple premise—mistaken identity—can be milked for maximum tension and laughs. While the title is a bit of a bait-and-switch (the film isn't really about the safety of brunettes), the execution of the 'Double' trope is flawless.
If you are looking for a deep emotional resonance like in Joan of Arc, you won't find it here. This is a film of gears and springs. It is a machine designed to produce a specific reaction: the nervous laugh. And it still produces that reaction today.
One surprising element of this film is how it handles the concept of 'class.' Charley doesn't just want to be Bud Gordon because he's a criminal; he wants to be him because he's wealthy. The film subtly critiques the American obsession with status. Charley is willing to risk his life for a taste of the high life, a theme that resonates even in modern works like Legend of Hollywood. It’s a cynical look at the 'American Dream' wrapped in a slapstick package.
'Are Brunettes Safe?' is a sharp, frantic, and ultimately rewarding slice of silent cinema. It showcases Charley Chase at the height of his powers, utilizing a lean script and a perfectly timed series of gags to tell a story that feels both of its time and oddly timeless. It works. But it’s flawed. The flaws, however, are part of its charm. It is a relic of a time when comedy was a physical labor, and in that regard, it is a triumph.
"A masterclass in the comedy of errors, proving that a man’s greatest enemy is often his own reflection—especially when that reflection is a wanted felon."
IMDb 5.6
1924
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