Artistic Temper: A Three-Minute Egg and a Big Dream?

Alright, so if you're looking for something quick and a little different, Artistic Temper might just hit the spot. It's not some grand epic, definitely not. But if you have a soft spot for early musicals, or just enjoy seeing how domestic squabbles played out on screen way back when, this one's a charming diversion. You'll probably dig it. If you need explosions or deep, complex plots, you'll probably hate it. This is pure, simple, old-school charm.

The whole thing kicks off with a rather novel concept: a perfectly cooked three-minute egg. How does Mrs. Bixby, played by the lovely Ruth Etting, manage this culinary feat? By singing a song, of course, one that lasts precisely three minutes. 🍳 It’s such a specific, *odd* detail, you can't help but smile.

Her husband, Dr. Bixby (Gavin Muir), is a piece of work. He's just so… proper. Every line he delivers, every look, screams 'respectable gentleman of science.' He loves his eggs perfect, sure, but he *really* doesn't get his wife's urge to perform for an audience beyond their breakfast table. He calls stage folk "low-class." It’s a bit much, honestly.

Etting, as Mrs. Bixby, has this wonderful, expressive face. You really feel her longing for the stage, the way she brightens up when she's singing. Her voice is just *gorgeous*, too. The song itself, the 'Three-Minute Egg' tune, it’s catchy. I found myself humming it later. A good sign, I think.

There's a scene where she's rehearsing, and you can practically see the life draining out of her when her husband walks in. It’s subtle, but *so* effective. That shift in her posture, her smile fading. It tells you everything you need to know about their dynamic without anyone saying a word.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Artistic Temper (1932) through its definitive frames.

The humor here comes from the clash. The husband is so serious, so focused on reputation, and his wife just wants to belt out a tune. It’s a familiar story, really, but the egg thing makes it unique. It's not The Guilty Egg, it's more lighthearted, less… well, guilty.

Frank McNellis pops up as a talent scout, I think, and he’s got this great, almost cartoonish enthusiasm. He sees Etting's star quality right away. Of course, Dr. Bixby is having none of it. He’s stuck on the idea that singing for money is beneath them. It’s frustrating to watch, but that’s the point.

One small moment that sticks with me: the way Dr. Bixby adjusts his spectacles when he's listening to her sing, trying to look appreciative but clearly just enduring it. It’s such a human detail, very telling.

The pacing is quick, as you’d expect for a short film from this era. It gets right to the point, introduces the conflict, and gives Etting plenty of chances to sing. And honestly, that's what you're here for. Her voice.

It feels a bit like a stage play sometimes, with the limited sets and the focus on dialogue and performance. But it works. The whole thing is just a neat little package. It doesn't overstay its welcome, and it leaves you thinking about the little sacrifices people make, or don't make, for their dreams.

Overall, a charming watch. Not earth-shattering, but a pleasant, musically inclined peek into a domestic dilemma. It's got heart, and a really good egg song. What more could you ask for on a quiet evening?