Bashful Felix: A dusty relic with a few bright spots

Is it worth the time?

Look, if you’re into black-and-white comedies from the 30s, Bashful Felix is a fine way to kill eighty minutes. If you need pacing, modern editing, or jokes that actually land in 2024, steer clear. It’s for the folks who like to see how cinema used to stumble over its own shoelaces.

The whole premise hinges on a guy selling bathing suits. It’s exactly as quaint as it sounds. He’s struggling, naturally. Then he finds a model. Suddenly, the clothes are selling. You’ve seen this setup a million times before, maybe in something like Mr. Billings Spends His Dime, where the stakes feel just as low and the misunderstandings just as avoidable.

The awkward rhythm

There’s a specific kind of stillness in these older films. The actors wait for the punchline to land like they’re waiting for a train. Sometimes, they just stand there. It’s almost hypnotic. Grethe Weiser carries a lot of the weight here, and honestly, she’s the only one who seems to know what movie she’s in.

The scenes involving the bathing suits are just… silly. You can tell the production budget was basically pocket change and a sandwich. There’s a moment where a door opens, and someone walks in, and the camera just forgets to track them for a second. It’s a tiny, clumsy mistake. I kind of loved it.

Not quite a classic

• The dialogue is mostly shouting.
• The slapstick is very, very literal.
• The costumes are surprisingly bold for the time.

It doesn’t have the grit of Western Justice, that’s for sure. It’s fluff. But it’s fluff that hasn’t aged into complete dust yet. I found myself checking my phone, then looking back up because someone tripped over a rug. It’s that kind of movie. You don't have to pay full attention, and the film won't be offended if you don't.

It’s not trying to be a The Trail of the Lonesome Pine, which is probably for the best. It’s just trying to get through the afternoon. Mission accomplished, I guess. 🏊‍♂️