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5.4/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.4/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Harry Fox and His Six American Beauties remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
So, Harry Fox and His Six American Beauties. If you’re into digging up old vaudeville acts or just curious about how films used to look way back when, yeah, give it a whirl. It's a quick trip, won't ask much of your time. Anyone expecting a story or slick production? You'll probably be bored stiff. It's a piece of history more than a movie, really. 🎬
The whole thing feels like someone just pointed a camera at a stage performance. Harry Fox himself, he’s got this energetic, almost frantic charm. He introduces his "beauties" with such earnestness, you almost forget it’s a film. Almost.
And those "beauties"? They're not what you might expect from the title. They’re more about their spirited dancing and bold outfits than any kind of typical Hollywood glamour. One lady’s hat, for instance, is absolutely enormous. It nearly eclipses her during a few steps. 👒
There’s a moment where Harry tries to do a quick patter, a bit of banter with the audience, but it comes across a little *too* rehearsed. You can almost feel him straining to connect through the lens. It's a small detail, but it stands out.
Then, Marjorie Main pops up. And honestly, she steals the show, even for her brief screen time. She’s not one of the "beauties" in the traditional sense, more like a formidable presence in the background, or maybe a quick comedic bit. She doesn't say much, but her *look*? It says everything. It’s exactly what you’d expect from her, even in such an early role.
The camera just kind of… stays put. It watches the numbers unfold. Sometimes, a dancer will drift a little too far to the edge of the frame. It feels very much like a live event happening, not something carefully crafted for the screen.
The musical numbers themselves are fairly catchy. You get a sense of the popular tunes of the era. One particular dance routine, with all six women, gets just a tiny bit messy. A few steps are a touch out of sync. It makes it feel very human, actually.
It’s not a film you’d put on for entertainment tonight, not unless you’re really in a specific mood. But as a historical document, seeing how these performances were captured? That's where its value lies. It gives you a real feel for the *energy* of a live show back then.
The ending just sort of… happens. There's no grand finale, no big narrative wrap-up. Harry Fox gives a final bow, and that's it. It’s less a film and more a quick window into a moment in time. Like someone left the camera rolling during a segment of a variety show. 📺
What sticks with you isn't the plot – there isn’t one. It’s the sheer earnestness of it all. The big hats, the slightly off-kilter dance steps, Marjorie Main’s knowing glance. These small things. They build up.
It reminds me a bit of watching some of those really early Night Life shorts, where you can practically hear the stage creaking. Or even some of the bits in The King of Kings, where the grandeur sometimes feels a bit… forced, due to the technology limitations. Here, it’s just honest.
Don't go in expecting a profound message. Expect an old postcard brought to life. A charming, if brief, visit to a bygone era.
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