Hardboiled (1929) Review: Sally O'Neil is a total firecracker

Is this worth watching today? Honestly, yeah, but only if you have a soft spot for that weird, shaky energy of late 1920s cinema. 🎥

If you're looking for a polished masterpiece, you’ll probably hate it. This is for the people who like smoky rooms and heroines who don't take any crap.

Sally O’Neil is the whole reason to hit play here. She plays a chorus girl named Sally (creative name, I know) who is supposedly hardboiled.

She’s got that wide-eyed look that was popular back then, but there’s a real grit behind it. You can see it when she’s backstage, just exhausted.

The plot is something you’ve seen a thousand times if you watch old movies. Girl wants money, girl finds a rich sucker, girl accidentally catches feelings. ❤️‍🔥

It reminds me a bit of the vibe in Flaming Youth, though maybe a little less about the party and more about the hangover.

The rich guy is James, played by Tom O'Grady. He’s fine, I guess. He mostly just looks confused and wealthy.

There is this one scene early on in the cabaret where the lighting is just... off. It’s like they had one spotlight and the guy running it fell asleep for a second.

But then there’s a close-up of Sally’s face that is just perfection. The film grain makes her look like she’s made of stardust and cigarette smoke.

I love the way 1929 films handle sound—or the lack of it in some versions. You can almost hear the actors over-enunciating because they weren't sure if the mic would catch them.

The father, played by Alphonse Ethier, is the classic grumpy old billionaire. He has this mustache that is truly a work of art. 🥸

He tries to buy Sally off, which is the most predictable thing in the world. But the way she reacts is actually pretty funny.

She doesn't do the whole 'virtuous woman' act immediately. She actually considers the money for a beat too long, which felt real.

It’s not as dark as something like A Wall Street Tragedy, but it has its moments of bitterness. The title isn't lying.

I noticed a weird smudge on the lens during the big dinner scene. It’s right near the top left corner and it drove me crazy for five minutes.

Lilyan Tashman shows up and, as usual, she’s the coolest person in the room. She has this way of leaning against a doorframe that makes everyone else look like amateurs.

The movie gets a bit slow when they leave the city. Why do these movies always think we want to see the countryside? 🌳

The city scenes have so much more life. The costumes in the club are ridiculous and wonderful, all fringe and beads that probably weighed twenty pounds.

There’s a bit of a melodramatic twist near the end involving a misunderstanding. It felt a little bit forced, like they realized they needed ten more minutes of footage.

It’s similar to how The Right to Lie handles its big reveals, just a lot of people standing in rooms looking shocked.

I did appreciate that the dialogue—at least what we get—feels snappy. Enid Hibbard wrote the script, and she clearly knew how to write a wisecrack.

One reaction shot of a waiter lingers for way too long. He’s just standing there with a tray, looking like he’s wondering if he left the stove on at home.

It’s those little accidents that make me love these old films. You can feel the people behind the camera just trying to figure it all out.

If you've seen Where Poppies Bloom, you know how these transition-era films can be a bit hit or miss with their pacing.

Hardboiled is a hit mostly because of the attitude. It doesn't apologize for being a bit trashy and fun.

Things I jotted down:

• The piano player in the background is really going for it in the opening scene.
• Sally's hat in the second act is so big it should have its own zip code. 👒
• A lot of pointing. Why did people point so much in 1929?
• The sound of a closing door sounds like a gunshot.
• The chemistry between the leads is actually... okay? It’s not electric, but it’s sweet.

I wouldn't go out of my way to find a high-def restoration (if one even exists). The grit is part of the experience here.

It’s a movie that knows exactly what it is. A tough little drama with a soft center.

You can tell Ralph Ince had fun directing the more chaotic scenes. The crowd shots feel messy in a way that feels intentional.

Unlike The Wonderful Chance, which feels a bit more structured, this one just kind of rolls along.

I think my favorite part was just watching Sally O'Neil's facial expressions. She could say more with a squint than most actors do with a monologue.

Anyway, give it a look if you're bored on a Tuesday night. It’s a short watch and it’s got spirit. 🍸

Just don't expect the plot to change your life. It's a chorus girl story. You know how it goes.

But man, that mustache on the dad. I’m still thinking about it. Truly legendary stuff.