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5.9/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.9/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Chasing Rainbows remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Chasing Rainbows is a real curio from 1930, make no mistake. If you’re genuinely into the very beginnings of sound film, or just curious how stage musicals looked on screen back then, you might find something here worth a gander. But for most folks expecting a smooth, modern watch, it’s probably going to feel pretty slow and a bit… rough around the edges. It's definitely not a casual Tuesday night pick unless you’re ready for a serious time warp. 🕰️
The whole setup is a classic one: a road-show troupe for a big Broadway production, taking their act across the country. You get to see the sparkly on-stage numbers, all those dance routines and costumes they must've thought were the bees' knees. Then, it pulls you backstage, where things are, well, not so sparkly. It’s all about the contrast between the razzle-dazzle and the actual *lives* happening in the wings.
Honestly, some of those dance ensembles feel like they go on forever. You can almost feel the director thinking, 'More spectacle! More!'. It's neat to see the sheer scale they were aiming for back then, even if the camera work sometimes feels like it's just trying to keep up. The 'colorful costumes' description is funny when you remember it's all black and white, but you can definitely imagine the vibrancy. They really tried to convey that pop.
Backstage is where the actual 'movie' tries to happen. You have your usual mix of joy, sorrow, some betrayals, and, of course, a healthy dose of romance. It's all played out in that very particular, slightly exaggerated style of early talkies, where every emotion feels like it’s dialed up a notch. Sometimes it works, sometimes it just feels a little too much, like everyone's shouting their feelings at the back row of a theater. 🎭
One thing that really sticks out is Marie Dressler. She’s just a force, even in this. She has a way of owning the screen, even when she’s just reacting. Her timing is still *there*, you know? She cuts through some of the melodrama with this kind of grounded, weary humor. It’s a good reminder why she was such a star.
Then there's Jack Benny, popping up in an early role. It's almost disorienting to see him so young and not quite in his familiar deadpan persona yet. He plays this slightly smarmy, slightly charming guy, and you can see flashes of the comedian he’d become, but it’s still evolving. It's a strange little moment, seeing him there.
The sound quality, as you'd expect for 1930, is a trip. Sometimes it sounds like they're talking through a tin can, other times it’s surprisingly clear. There are a few moments where the actors clearly had to speak in a very specific way for the microphones, and it makes some of the dialogue feel stilted. It's a technical hurdle they hadn't quite figured out yet. You can almost hear the microphones cutting in and out.
The plot itself, the intertwining of all those backstage dramas? It's pretty thin, honestly. It serves its purpose as a vehicle for the musical numbers and the few dramatic beats, but don't expect deep character studies. Characters fall in and out of love with a speed that only a 1930s musical could pull off. One moment someone's heartbroken, the next they're smiling. It's a bit jarring. 🤷♀️
There’s a scene where a couple is having a serious discussion, but the background noise of the stagehands moving props is so loud you can barely hear them. It wasn't distracting, it just felt real for a minute, like a genuine blooper left in. Little things like that are what make these old films special sometimes, imperfections and all.
So, is it good? That's a tough call. It's not 'good' in the modern sense. It's clunky, the acting can be stiff, and the story is predictable. But it's also a fascinating peek into early Hollywood, a real snapshot of how they were just figuring things out. It’s a piece of film history, loud and proud, with all its beautiful mistakes.
If you're a film student, or someone who loves digging through archives, this is definitely one to check out. For everyone else, maybe put on a modern musical first, then come back to this when you're ready for a truly vintage experience. It’s a bit like finding an old photo album; the quality isn't perfect, but the memories are there. ✨
IMDb 5.9
1928
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