Horse Play (1933): A Very Bizarre Trip Across the Pond

Is this actually worth watching?

Look, if you’re a fan of early 30s slapstick or you have a weird fascination with how people used to think 'foreign' culture worked, maybe give it a spin. It’s not for the faint of heart, though. If you prefer movies that actually make sense, stay far away. This thing is basically a fever dream where horses go to hotels and everyone is constantly yelling about nothing.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Horse Play (1933) through its definitive frames.

Slim Summerville and Andy Devine are, uh, definitely a choice as a duo. They play the kind of 'bumbling American yokels' that Hollywood was obsessed with back then. They spend half the movie just looking confused at British people. It’s charming in a very dated, clunky way.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Horse Play (1933) through its definitive frames.

There is a horse. The horse is named Cynthia Ann. The horse gets more screen time than some of the actual supporting cast, which is honestly the highlight of the whole experience. Seeing a horse just standing in a posh English hotel suite while people run around in medieval costumes? That’s cinema, baby. 🐴

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Horse Play (1933) through its definitive frames.

Notes from the couch

• The plot is basically just a series of excuses for the guys to trip over stuff.
• I’m pretty sure the 'Robin Hood' pageant scene goes on for about ten minutes too long. It’s pure chaos.
• Ethel Griffies is in this. She’s way too good for this movie, but she’s definitely having a blast.
• The jewel thief subplot feels like it was stapled on at the last minute because someone realized they needed an ending.

It’s funny comparing this to something like Long Pants, which at least had a bit of a visual signature. Horse Play is much more generic. It feels like a studio project that was assembled from spare parts found on a shelf. But hey, it moves fast enough that you don't have to suffer through the logic gaps for very long.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Horse Play (1933) through its definitive frames.

I found myself wondering if anyone in 1933 actually thought this was a realistic depiction of England. Probably not. It’s all very stagey and bright, like someone trying to film a play in a closet. The costumes at the ball are legitimately ridiculous. It’s like a party at a costume shop that had a fire sale.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Horse Play (1933) through its definitive frames.

Anyway, don't overthink it. If you want to see a guy try to impress a girl by bringing a horse across the Atlantic Ocean, you've found your movie. It’s messy, it’s loud, and it’s completely unnecessary. I kinda loved it for that.