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Cult Review
Senior Film Conservator
Is it worth watching this today? Honestly, only if you’re a silent film nerd or you really like seeing kids from the 1920s fall over things. If you’re looking for a deep story like The Cinderella Man, you are going to be very disappointed. This is for people who want a 20-minute distraction that feels like a dusty old home movie.
People who hate slapstick that doesn't always land will probably find this annoying. It’s very much of its time, for better or worse.
The whole thing is based on the 'Smitty' comic strip by Walter Berndt. You can really tell it was written by a cartoonist because the logic is... well, there isn't much. It’s just a series of things happening to these kids while they’re trying to 'rough it' in the woods.
One of the first things I noticed was the kids' outfits. They have these massive boots and knickerbockers that look incredibly uncomfortable for a hike. One kid is carrying a pack that is literally bigger than his entire torso. It’s a miracle he didn't tip over backwards the second they started filming.
The 'tent' they try to set up is hilarious in a sad way. It’s basically just a sheet of fabric that refuses to stay up. They spend a good three minutes just wrestling with it. It’s one of those scenes that goes on just a little too long, but you can’t help but feel bad for them.
I think it’s Donald Haines who has this one reaction shot where he just stares into the camera. He looks completely lost, like he forgot what he was supposed to do. It’s a very human moment that probably should of been edited out, but I’m glad they kept it in. It makes it feel more real.
Then there is the dog. There is always a dog in these shorts, isn't there? This one is actually pretty good. He seems more aware of the 'danger' of the campfire than the actual children are. 🐕
The cooking scene is where things get really messy. They’re trying to make some kind of stew or something, but it looks like gray sludge. One of the boys takes a bite and his face just contorts in a way that wasn't acting. That was genuine disgust. I hope they had some actual food off-camera.
It’s a lot lighter than something like Wild Oranges, which is a relief. Sometimes you just want to see kids being dumb in the woods without any heavy themes. It’s much closer in vibe to something like Sax Appeal, just... with more dirt.
The adults in the movie are barely there. Otto Fries shows up for a bit and he just looks exhausted. He has this 'I’m not getting paid enough for this' energy that I really related to. He doesn't really do much other than look annoyed at the kids.
I noticed a weird hair or scratch on the lens during the scene where they’re trying to catch fish. It’s right in the middle of the screen for like thirty seconds. It kept distracting me from the actual 'action,' if you can call it that.
Helen Parrish is in this too, though she’s super young. She has this way of pointing at things that feels very theatrical. Like she’s on a stage instead of in a forest. It’s charming, but also a bit weird when everyone else is just acting like a regular kid.
The pacing is a bit of a disaster. It speeds up for no reason then lingers on a shot of a tree for way too long. It’s like the editor was falling asleep at the wheel. Or maybe they just didn't have enough footage to fill the time.
It’s definitely better than watching The Red Viper, which is a slog. At least this has some energy. Even if that energy is mostly kids screaming silently and falling into bushes.
There is a bit with a goat that is actually pretty funny. The goat seems to be the only one who knows what’s going on. It just walks through the campsite and wrecks everything while the kids look on in horror. 🐐
I wish there was more of a story, honestly. It just kind of ends. There is a final gag involving the tent (of course) and then the screen just goes black. No resolution, no 'lesson learned.' They just stopped filming.
I don't know, I kind of liked it for what it was. It’s a little piece of history that doesn't try to be important. It’s just kids being kids in 1928. It’s dusty and imperfect and a bit boring in spots, but it’s got heart.
If you have twenty minutes to kill, give it a look. Just don't expect it to change your life or anything. It’s just a silly little short about a bad camping trip. We’ve all been there, right?
One last thing—the water in the stream looks absolutely freezing. You can see the kids shivering in a few shots. I hope they got some hot cocoa after they finished. They earned it. ☕
IMDb —
1920
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