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5.7/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.7/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Baby Talks remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
'Baby Talks' is one of those old ones, if you even know it exists. If you're a film historian or really, really into early comedies, *maybe* give it a look. For everyone else? Probably skip it. It's a quick watch, sure, but it's not going to change your world.
So, the whole deal here is this baby, right? This little tyke starts... well, talking. Not just babbling, but actual words. And, as you might guess, this throws everyone for a loop. Especially the parents, who are played by Charles King and someone else. I forget who, exactly.
Roger Moore is in this, too, but it's not *that* Roger Moore, obviously. This one's more of a character actor from back then. He plays the nosy neighbor, always sticking his head in. A bit of a stereotype, honestly.
The movie tries to get some mileage out of the baby saying things adults shouldn't hear. Like, during a dinner party, the baby just blurts out something kinda rude about the host's wig. 😬 The looks on everyone's faces are pretty priceless for a second there.
But then it just… keeps going. The same joke, really. Baby says something inappropriate, adults gasp, repeat. After the third or fourth time, you start to check your watch. *Really* check it.
There's a scene where the baby is supposed to reveal some big secret about a stolen item. But the acting from Sunny Jim McKeen, who plays some sort of detective, is just so *big*. His eyebrows are practically doing a dance. It’s hard to take it seriously, even for a silly comedy.
You can tell they were trying something novel. A talking baby was probably a big deal for audiences way back when. The special effects are minimal, obviously, just clever editing and maybe some voice work layered in. It works well enough for the time.
What stuck with me, though, was the way the mother just kinda *stares* at the baby sometimes. Not with wonder, but almost dread. Like, "what have I birthed?" It's a fleeting moment, but it felt realer than any of the slapstick.
The pacing is… well, it's a short. It moves, then it stops, then it moves again. No real rhythm. Just a series of events. It’s kinda like someone just wrote down a bunch of ideas on index cards and filmed them in order.
Honestly, it’s charming in a super dated way. Like finding an old toy that doesn't quite work anymore but still makes you smile for a second. **It’s not a masterpiece**, or even particularly memorable beyond the premise.
If you’re watching this as part of a deep dive into early sound films, then yeah, it’s a curio. Otherwise, spend your time on something with a bit more oomph. There are so many better oldies out there. The Cradle Snatchers or even Let-'Er-Go Gallagher are more engaging if you want that era's vibe.
IMDb 7
1927
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