Fall In: A Gloriously Messy Silent Comedy You Gotta See

Fall In is a real trip, a silent short from way back when movies were still figuring things out. If you're someone who loves digging into the *really* old stuff, the kind of flick that feels like a peek into a different universe, then yeah, this one’s worth a quick watch. But if you need snappy dialogue or stories that make perfect sense, you're probably gonna be scratching your head, or maybe just hitting stop. It's a slice of pure, unadulterated slapstick chaos, probably not for everyone. 🐻‍

So, we meet Monte, this rough-and-tumble prospector, just minding his own business, digging for gold. You know the drill, dusty landscape, big hopes. Then, right next door, there’s Estelle and her dad, Jack, having a good laugh because a baby bear cub has, uh, *drained a flask* instead of its milk bottle. The whole bit with the bear is just... odd, in the best way. 🍶

Things escalate fast. Monte thinks he's found gold, gets super excited, then a goat just kinda *butts him* right into his neighbors' camp. It's such a silly, out-of-nowhere moment. Of course, he totally messes up their dinner table. To make amends, Monte invites them over to his place for a meal. Classic silent film setup, right?

And then the castor oil happens. The cub bear, bless its heart, knocks a bottle right into the beef stew Monte is cooking. And who gets the lion's share of that stew? Monte himself. He drinks it all up, then spends the next bit looking incredibly thirsty. It's a long, drawn-out thirst that just keeps going. The kind where you feel a bit parched just watching him.

Next thing you know, Monte and Jack are trying out some rifle practice. This is where it gets truly bonkers. Monte, in what has to be one of the most unexpected plot points ever, shoots some feathers by mistake. And these feathers? They *bring to life* a trio of Indians. I kid you not. It’s a moment that makes you pause and go, “Wait, did that just happen?” 🤯

Naturally, Monte and Jack high-tail it for the cabin. The Indians batter down the door, but it turns out they're more interested in the stew than the people. Which, fair enough, until they actually *taste* the castor oil. Their faces, that sudden shift from hungry to utterly disgusted, it's a gem of physical comedy.

The pacing here is wild, like they just strung together whatever gags they had. One minute you're watching someone get thirsty, the next it’s a full-on chase. There's no smooth transition, just pure momentum from one silly thing to the next.

Of course, once the Indians realize *who* made the stew, their attention snaps right back to Monte. He's outside, hiding, and they chase him down for his mean trick. It’s a classic chase sequence, ending things on a high, frantic note.

Fall In isn't going to win any awards for deep storytelling, and honestly, the plot is basically an excuse for a string of increasingly absurd incidents. But that's its charm. It’s a film that leans hard into its own goofiness. Monte Collins, as Monte, carries the whole thing with his frantic energy. You can almost feel the movie trying to make you laugh with every over-the-top reaction. It's a fun, short dive into early cinema’s wild side. Worth a look if you're into the really old, weird stuff. ✨