Girls Will Be Boys: A 1934 romp that feels surprisingly modern

Is it worth your time?

If you have a soft spot for 1930s British comedy and don't mind a plot that moves at the speed of a runaway carriage, then yes. It is charming, silly, and moves fast enough that you don't have to think about the logistics of the Duke's estate. If you want something serious or grounded, go find Les misérables or something else that wants to make you cry.

The whole premise is absurd, obviously. Dolly Haas plays Patricia, and she really sells the whole 'boy' bit with way more energy than the rest of the cast combined. She’s running around trying to keep her secret, and you can tell the movie is having a great time with the confusion.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Girls Will Be Boys (1934) through its definitive frames.

There is this one moment where she’s trying to walk in trousers and it just looks so uncomfortable. It reminded me of some of the physical comedy in Back to the Woods, where the clothes are practically acting as a separate character. The Duke is such a caricature of a grump that it borders on cartoonish. He’s almost like a villain from a Ko-Ko's War Dogs short, just shouting and stomping around.

The pacing is a bit all over the place. Sometimes it feels like they forgot they were making a movie and just started filming a stage play. But honestly? That’s part of the charm. It doesn't try to be high art. It just wants you to laugh at a girl in a suit tripping over her own feet.

Odd little observations:

• The Duke’s facial expressions when he’s angry are worth the price of admission alone.
• The editing feels a little choppy, like someone took scissors to the middle of a scene.
• I think I counted three different hats that seem to be doing more acting than the supporting cast.
• It’s definitely a light snack, not a full meal. Don't go looking for deep themes.

It’s not perfect. The sound is a bit tinny, and the side characters often just stand there waiting for their turn to speak. But it has a certain sparkle that a lot of modern stuff lacks. Sometimes you just want to watch a 1934 disaster unfold, right? 🎩