Cocktails (1928) - A silent movie about cocaine that's actually quite funny

If you're looking for a heavy drama about the jazz age drug trade, you're going to be very disappointed. You should watch this if you like physical comedy and want to see how the 1920s handled a 'scandal' plot with a wink and a nod.

If you hate silent films where the plot feels like an excuse for slapstick, you'll probably want to skip this one. It's a bit of a mess, honestly.

I didn't expect to see a movie from 1928 where the main conflict is someone planting cocaine in a guy's pocket. It sounds like something out of a modern thriller, but here it's treated almost like a prank.

The boyfriend, played by Warren Hastings, is mostly just there to look worried. He's fine, I guess, but he doesn't have much to do besides be the victim of the setup.

The real reason anyone still talks about this movie is the comedy duo. Carl Schenstrøm and Harald Madsen show up and basically hijack the entire film.

They were known as Pat and Patachon, the tall one and the short one. They have this rhythm that feels so much more natural than the lead actors. 🤹

There is a scene in a club where everything just feels right. The extras are actually dancing like they mean it, not just swaying in the background like in The Strange Boarder.

I noticed a small detail where one of the 'villains' keeps adjusting his tie. He does it like four times in one scene. It’s either a character choice or the actor was just really nervous about his wardrobe.

Enid Stamp-Taylor plays the heiress, and she has these huge eyes that the camera just loves. She doesn't have to do much, but she's very good at looking shocked.

The whole 'planting the drugs' thing happens so fast you might miss it if you blink. It's not some high-stakes heist; it's just a guy dropping a packet into a coat while walking past.

The pacing is a bit weird. It feels like two different movies stitched together with a very thin thread. 🧵

One minute it's a social drama about an heiress and her boyfriend, and the next it's Madsen doing a bit with a chair. It reminded me a little of the tonal shifts in Running Wild, though that one was a bit more consistent.

I really liked the title cards in this one. They aren't too wordy. Some silent films try to write a whole novel on the screen, but here they get to the point.

There’s a bit of a tangent where the comedy duo gets into trouble that has almost nothing to do with the main plot. I didn't mind it, though, because the main plot is kind of thin anyway.

The way they handle the police in this movie is hilarious. They're basically just there to be confused by everything happening around them.

It's funny how 1920s movies handled 'the city.' It always feels like a playground where anything can happen, unlike the more grounded feeling you get in Wanted, a Story.

I think the director, Roger Burford (who also wrote it), was more interested in the gags than the actual crime. You can tell because the 'cocaine' looks like a packet of sugar and nobody seems particularly terrified of going to prison.

There's a shot of a car driving away that lingers for way too long. You just see the dust settling on the road for like five seconds after the car is gone. 🚗

Maybe they just liked the way the light hit the dust? I don't know.

Lorna Duveen is in this too, but her role is so small I almost forgot she was there. It's a shame because she has a great screen presence.

If you've seen His Country Cousin, you know how these British comedies usually go. They have a certain politeness even when they're being silly.

Cocktails isn't a masterpiece of cinema history. It’s not going to change your life or make you rethink the silent era.

But it's fun. It’s a short, breezy watch that doesn't take itself seriously at all.

The ending is exactly what you think it will be. No surprises there. Everyone gets what they deserve, and the comedy duo probably gets a sandwich.

It’s a good 'afternoon' movie. You know, the kind you put on when you’re half-cleaning the house but still want to be entertained. 🧹

The film quality on the version I saw was a bit grainy, but it added to the charm. You can see the makeup on the actors' faces, which is always a bit funny in these old silents.

Anyway, give it a look if you find it. It's worth it just for the tall and short guy routine.