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6.6/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.6/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Favorite Melodies remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Alright, so if you're not really into old, old movies, especially ones that are basically just a person singing for a few minutes, you can probably just skip this. Honestly. But for those of us who get a kick out of seeing how films were made way back, or if you're a big fan of early sound cinema, then yeah, give Favorite Melodies a few minutes. It's a curious little piece.
It’s Ruth Etting, you know? She’s singing two tunes from 1929. And the whole thing, it’s just one camera shot. No cutting, no edits. The camera just kinda… stays put.
You can almost feel the stage behind her, even though the setting is super simple. Like they set up a mic and said, 'Okay, go!' The sound quality, for 1929, is actually pretty good. You really do hear her voice, and it comes through clear enough. Not always perfect, but you get the idea.
Etting has this _presence_, you know? Even without big flashy moves, she just holds the frame. She's just there, front and center, doing her thing. Joseph Santley is there too, sort of just in the background. Like a silent partner, almost.
The entire setup is a little stiff. Very much a 'point and shoot' kind of deal. But that’s what makes it interesting, I think. You’re seeing a very early moment in film history, right there, as it happened. No fancy tricks.
It’s not gonna blow your mind, obviously. It’s a short. But it’s a cool little document. A glimpse into a time when just getting sound to work on film was a big deal. 🎶