Graduation Daze: Quaint Charm for a Quiet Afternoon

Look, if you're hunting for some edgy, mind-bending cinema, Graduation Daze isn’t it. Not even close. But for those who appreciate a good, earnest trip back to early film antics, a quiet Sunday afternoon watch, it's got a certain charm. If you need explosions or a plot you can tweet about in 280 characters, you'll probably find this a bit of a snoozer. It’s for folks who enjoy the feel of old movies, not just the history.

The film, I guess, follows a handful of students right on the cusp of, you guessed it, graduation. We've got our earnest hero, the slightly mischievous friend, and the girl everyone seems to be sweet on. It’s all very innocent, very of its time. The stakes aren’t world-ending, just college-ending.

Sumner Getchell, playing young Arthur, he’s got this wide-eyed earnestness that's almost painful to watch sometimes. Every emotion is painted so big on his face. You can practically see him thinking, "Am I doing this right?" There's a scene where he tries to confess his feelings to Mary, and his hands just keep fiddling with his cap. It’s almost too much, but also, kinda sweet. Like a real kid, a bit lost.

George J. Lewis, as the slightly cocky rival, Ted, really leans into it. He’s got this smirk that never quite leaves his face, even when he’s supposed to be upset. There’s one bit where he tries to trip Arthur during a foot race, and it’s so obviously staged, but the way he glances back, like he’s proud of himself, it’s just… a moment. A tiny, silly little moment. 😂

The pacing, oh boy. Things really take their time. A walk across campus feels like it covers a whole day. You get these long shots of nothing much happening, just people milling about. It's not bad exactly, but you might find yourself checking your watch. ⌚ Though, the way the light hits the old brick buildings, there’s a real prettiness to some of those exterior shots. They hold the camera on a window for what feels like ages, just the breeze blowing the curtains. Why? Who knows. But it’s there.

There's this one dog that keeps showing up in the background. Not part of the plot, not even acknowledged. Just a very persistent dog, wandering in and out of frames. I kept wondering if it was the crew's dog, or just a very friendly stray who liked being on set. 🐶 It becomes a little game, spotting the dog.

Dorothy Gulliver, as Mary, she’s got this quiet strength. She doesn’t have a ton of lines, but her expressions do a lot of the work. You can tell she’s the one who actually understands what's going on, even if the boys are bumbling around. There's a particularly nice shot of her just watching the boys argue from a distance, a small, knowing smile. It’s subtle, for an old film.

The whole "who gets the girl" thing, it’s pretty predictable. But the journey there, with all the misunderstandings and grand gestures, that's where the fun is. The actual graduation ceremony itself is kind of chaotic, with people bumping into each other. It really feels like a bunch of excited kids. Not the grand, solemn affair you sometimes see in movies. More like a real one, I think.

So yeah, Graduation Daze. It’s not going to change your life. It’s not even going to win any awards for originality. But for a little glimpse into a simpler time, with some genuinely charming performances from a cast clearly giving their all, it's worth a look. Especially if you’ve got a soft spot for the quaint. Just don't expect too much, and you might be pleasantly surprised. ✨