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6.7/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.7/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Girl Missing remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly, only if you’re into that specific 1930s vibe where everyone talks like they’re trying to win a speed-talking contest. If you get bored by plots that don't make sense or characters who act like they’ve never heard of common sense, you’ll probably find this infuriating.
It’s a light, breezy kind of thing. Don't expect a gritty noir masterpiece. Just expect a lot of smoking, sharp suits, and people walking into rooms looking shocked.
The whole thing feels like it was put together on a lunch break. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though. Glenda Farrell is clearly doing the heavy lifting here, holding the screen with enough attitude to make you forget the script is falling apart.
There’s a scene early on where she’s just maneuvering through a hotel lobby, and you can tell she’s the only one who actually knows what the scene is supposed to be about. Everyone else is just kind of standing around waiting for their cue to look suspicious.
A missing bride? Sure, fine. It’s all very Lawful Larceny in terms of how they handle the legal-ish stuff. They don't really care about the details. They care about the banter.
I caught myself wondering why they didn't just call the police about three different times. Then I remembered this is a movie where the plot is held together by hairspray and sheer force of will.
It’s not quite as chaotic as West of Hot Dog, but it shares that same frantic energy. It’s a movie that knows it’s a B-picture and doesn't try to hide it. That makes it easier to swallow, I guess. It’s just fluff. But it’s shiny, fast-moving, 1930s fluff that doesn't overstay its welcome.
Also, the hats. The hats in this movie are absolutely criminal. Some of them look like they’re trying to escape the actors' heads. 🎩
If you’re looking for a deep dive into the psyche of a gold-digger, go somewhere else. If you want to kill an hour watching people argue in nice clothes, you’ve found it.
IMDb —
1921
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