Harem Follies: A Golden Age Comedy of Errors | Film Review

The title 'Harem Follies' alone promises a blend of erotic intrigue and comedic pratfalls, setting the stage for a film that is as much a product of its era as it is a testament to the ingenuity of silent cinema's golden age. Directed by an unnamed director, this film stars the versatile actor Bert Roach alongside the captivating Lucille Hutton and a troupe of Century Follies Girls, each contributing to a narrative that is as much a dance of the absurd as it is a tribute to the physical comedy that defined the era.

The film opens with Bert Roach, a character experiencing a moment of great intimacy with the queen of the harem. The scene is a delicate balance of eroticism and the promise of physical comedy, setting the tone for what is to come. Suddenly, a dashing sheik enters, his presence as disruptive as his critique of Bert's technique is precise. The stage is set for a comedic battle of wits and physical prowess, a duel that extends beyond mere technique to encompass a broader narrative of power and control within a harem.

As the sheik and Bert take turns with the queen, each claiming a section of the dummy, the film delves into a world of gender roles and power dynamics. The dummy, a symbol of the harem's complexity and the characters' vulnerabilities, becomes a vehicle for physical humor and social commentary. The introduction of the Century Follies Girls adds a layer of variety to the ensemble, each contributing to the overall chaos with their unique brand of physical comedy. The sheik, played by Arthur Lake, brings a sense of sophistication and control, a stark contrast to the crude and comedic Bert Roach.

Meanwhile, six fair ladies are discovered on columns, each performing a form of dance that disrupts the dynamic between Bert and the sheik. The shaking and the subsequent mean shakings add to the comedic tension, highlighting the film's ability to blend physical comedy with narrative complexity. Lucille Hutton, in her role as the dancer, provides a central figure around whom the chaos revolves. Her interactions with the sheik and Bert, culminating in a kiss that serves as a turning point in the narrative, suggest a deeper layer of character development beyond the surface-level humor.

The climax of the film is a series of events that take place on a streetcar, a setting that transforms from a mode of transportation to a stage for further comedic escapades. The chase scene with a cop and the subsequent encounter with an inventor heiress add to the film's unpredictability. The heiress, played by a character from 'The Victory of Virtue', brings a sense of mystery and intrigue, while the inventor father introduces a touch of the fantastical, a nod to the era's fascination with science and technology. The sequence where Bert and the sheik are dragged by the streetcar and fall off a cliff, only to be tricked by a small boy, is a prime example of the film's ability to blend physical comedy with narrative twists.

The film's ending is as unexpected as its beginning, leaving the audience with a sense of side-splitting laughter and a lingering sense of the absurd. The chase by the cop and the encounter with the inventor heiress culminate in a homecoming, where the heiress's father, a spooky inventor, becomes the source of more side-splitting and hair-raising experiences. The final sequence, where Bert and the sheik are played as mere figures in a larger, more fantastical narrative, adds to the film's overall charm and appeal.

Compared to contemporaries like 'The Victory of Virtue' and 'Mr. Barnes of New York', 'Harem Follies' stands out for its blend of physical comedy, narrative complexity, and social commentary. While the former focuses on the moral and ethical dilemmas of a harem, 'Harem Follies' takes a more lighthearted and absurdist approach, making it a unique and entertaining addition to the golden age of silent cinema. The performance of Bert Roach and the sheik, along with the contributions of the Century Follies Girls, create a world that is as much a reflection of the era's fascination with the exotic and the comedic as it is a celebration of physical comedy.

Overall, 'Harem Follies' is a delightful and entertaining film that captures the spirit of the golden age of silent cinema. Its blend of physical comedy, narrative complexity, and social commentary makes it a must-watch for anyone interested in the history of cinema. From the opening scene to the final sequence, the film is a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of its era, making it a valuable addition to any film lover's collection.