Her First Mate is a messy, sweet 1933 boat comedy

If you have about an hour and a half and you want to see a man look very confused while wearing a captain's hat, this is for you. People who like old-school slapstick that doesn't hurt anyone will probably have a good time. If you hate slow, talky comedies from the early 30s, you should probably stay away. ⛴️

It is worth watching today just to see Zasu Pitts and Slim Summerville together. They are like a tall blade of grass and a nervous bird trying to build a nest. It is charming in a way that modern movies just aren't anymore.

The whole thing starts on an Albany night boat. John, played by Slim, is a "peanut butcher." I had to look that up because it sounds like a weird job. Apparently, it just means he sells snacks and candy to passengers. 🍬

He is not very good at it. He spends most of his time daydreaming about owning his own ship. He wants to be a big deal on the water. But he is just a guy with a tray of peanuts.

His wife, Mary, is played by Zasu Pitts. She is the one with the common sense. She has been saving every penny so they can buy a nice house on land. You can see the exhaustion in her eyes every time John starts talking about the sea.

The way Zasu Pitts moves her hands is incredible. They are never still. It is like they are vibrating with anxiety. She makes me feel worried just by standing there. 😟

There is this one scene where John is trying to act like a tough sailor. He looks so ridiculous. Slim Summerville has this long, sad face that makes everything he does look like a mistake. It is perfect for this kind of role.

The movie gets really going when John gets tricked into buying a boat called the Marybelle. He thinks it is a majestic vessel. In reality, it is a floating pile of garbage. It is basically held together by rust and hope.

The scene where he first sees the boat is actually pretty funny. You can see the moment his heart breaks, but he tries to pretend everything is fine. He is so desperate to be a captain that he ignores the fact that the boat is literally sinking while he stands on it. 😂

I noticed that the director is William Wyler. This was way before he did the huge, famous movies. You can tell he was still figuring things out. Some of the shots are a bit clunky. The camera just sits there sometimes, waiting for someone to finish talking.

It reminds me a bit of the energy in Shivering Spooks but with more water. Or maybe even Adorable, though that one had a bit more polish. This one feels like it was made on a weekend.

There is a lot of shouting. Everyone in 1933 seemed to think that shouting made things funnier. It does, sometimes. Especially when the boat starts to fall apart.

One reaction shot of a passenger lingers so long it becomes funny. I think the editor just forgot to cut away. Or maybe they liked the guy's mustache too much to stop. 👨🏻‍🦱

The plot kind of just drifts away like the boat does. It doesn't really matter though. The movie is more about the vibe of these two people trying to stay together while their dreams are literally underwater. It is kind of sweet if you don't think about the logistics too much.

I found myself wondering about the snacks. John sells these little boxes of candy. I wonder if they were actually good. The 1930s were a weird time for food. 🍿

The ending is exactly what you expect. It is not a profound exploration of anything. It is just a story about a guy who is a bit of a fool and a woman who loves him anyway. We have all seen it before, but Slim and Zasu do it better than most.

There is a bit with a cigar that goes on about 20 seconds too long. The silence starts to feel awkward rather than emotional. I think they were trying to build tension, but I just wanted him to put the cigar down. 🚬

Also, the extras in the background of the boat scenes are weird. Some of them are staring directly at the camera. It makes the whole thing feel like a stage play that someone happened to film. It adds a bit of realness to it, though.

If you are looking for a masterpiece, look somewhere else. But if you want a movie that feels like a warm blanket and a bit of a laugh, give this a shot. It is imperfect and clunky, but it has a big heart.

I think I liked it more than I should have. There is something about those old black and white comedies that makes the world feel smaller. In a good way. Like everyone knows each other on the Albany boat. ⛴️

The movie is noticeably better once it stops trying to have a plot and just lets the characters argue. That is where the real magic is. When Zasu Pitts starts sighing, you know things are getting good.

Anyway, it is a decent way to spend an afternoon. Just don't expect to learn anything about sailing. You will probably learn more about how to lose money on a bad investment. Which is a lesson we all need, I guess. 💸