Hits of Today: A weird, dusty trip through a forgotten variety show

Is it worth the time?

Honestly, only if you're a history nerd or just really into vintage performance styles. Most people today will probably find the pacing glacial and the humor a bit... well, ancient. It feels like a project that was probably cool in 1930, but now it’s mostly just a curiosity.

The whole thing is anchored by MC Doc Rockwell, who spends a lot of time trying to bridge the gap between these different acts. It’s a bit of a thankless job. Sometimes he’s charming, other times it feels like he’s just reading off a list of names he barely knows.

Oddly Specific Details

There's this moment with Willie Bryant and his Harlem syncopators that actually has some real energy to it. The rest of the acts? They kind of blur together after a while. You get used to the grainy quality pretty quick, but the sound mixing is all over the place.

I found myself zoning out during the Pettet and Douglas set, then snapping back to attention when someone would do a weird physical gag. It’s that kind of movie. You can't watch it all at once or you'll lose your mind.

It feels less like a movie and more like finding an old crate of lost footage in an attic.

Connecting the dots

If you're looking for something with a bit more of a narrative structure—even if it's just as chaotic—you might prefer the vibes in The Tiger Band. At least there, the pieces seem to talk to each other a bit more. The Lamplighter is another one that feels similarly archaic but maybe hits a little harder emotionally.

There’s no real 'conclusion' here. The acts just end. One minute you're watching a comedy routine, the next the screen just cuts to black. It’s almost jarring. Maybe they ran out of film? Who knows. 🎞️

I kept waiting for a punchline that never came. Still, there’s something undeniably honest about the way they just put the acts on screen and let them be. No fancy editing. No CGI. Just people in front of a mic, hoping they're still funny.