Guido Deiro: World's Foremost Piano-Accordionist - Those fingers move fast

Is this worth your time?

You should watch this if you are a music nerd or someone who likes seeing how weirdly simple early sound movies were. If you need a plot or, like, actual dialogue, you are going to absolutely hate this thing.

It is literally just a guy and his accordion. His name is Guido Deiro and the title doesn't lie—he is really good at what he does.

The first thing you notice is how fast his right hand moves. It is like a bunch of spiders dancing on piano keys at 100 miles per hour.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Guido Deiro: World's Foremost Piano-Accordionist (1929) through its definitive frames.

There isn't any introduction at all. Usually these old shorts have a guy in a tuxedo telling you what you are about to hear, but not here.

Guido just starts playing and doesn't stop to breathe. It feels a bit like a home movie that someone accidentally spent a lot of money on back in the day.

The camera just sits there, staring at him. It is way more intense than High Spots of Hawaii which at least gives you some scenery to look at.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Guido Deiro: World's Foremost Piano-Accordionist (1929) through its definitive frames.

I kept waiting for Doc Salomon to do something, but he stays out of the way. It is just the music and the sound of the bellows wheezing in the background.

The sound quality is surprisingly okay for 1929. You can hear the little clicks of the keys if you listen close enough. 🎹

Some weird things I noticed:

• He never looks at the keyboard, not even once.
• His smile is kind of frozen, like he is worried the camera might explode.
• The background is just... nothing. A void.

It is much more focused than something like Wild Waves and Angry Woman. There is no distraction, just pure skill and a very heavy instrument.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Guido Deiro: World's Foremost Piano-Accordionist (1929) through its definitive frames.

Is it "cinema"? Probably not in the way we think of it now. It is a recording of a guy who was probably the coolest person in the room back then.

I think the lack of talking makes it better. It doesn't try to explain itself or tell you why you should care.

Sometimes his fingers move so fast the film can't really keep up. It gets all blurry and strange-looking for a second.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Guido Deiro: World's Foremost Piano-Accordionist (1929) through its definitive frames.

If you have seen The Single Standard, this is the exact opposite of that energy. No drama, no romance, just a big squeeze-box.

I watched it twice just to see if he ever messed up a note. He didn't, which is kind of annoying but also impressive.

It is short, it is loud, and then it is over. Perfect for a 2 AM rabbit hole when you can't sleep.

Wait, did I mention the suit? His suit is very sharp and he looks like he's ready to play for a king or a very fancy pizza place.

Anyway, it is worth the six minutes. Just don't expect a sequel or any character development. 🤷‍♂️