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4.1/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 4.1/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Laundry Blues remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Okay, let's talk about Laundry Blues. Is it a must-see today? Probably not for most folks looking for, you know, a story. But if you're into those really old, silly shorts where people just goof off for 15 minutes, you might get a kick out of it. Anyone expecting a deep plot or, like, character development? Hard pass. 🙅♀️
The whole premise is simple: two guys, Mannie Davis and John Foster, working (or rather, not working) in a laundromat. And that's pretty much it. They slack off on the clock, avoiding actual laundry.
Mannie Davis, he's a real treat. There's this one moment where he's supposed to be sweeping, but he's mostly just leaning on the broom, looking out the window, totally lost in thought. It goes on a good 15 seconds, just him daydreaming. Very specific.
John Foster plays the straight man, sort of, but he gets pulled into the laziness too. He tries to fold a shirt but just ends up wrestling it into a crumpled mess. You can almost feel the movie trying to convince you this moment matters, even though it's just pure physical comedy.
The setting is super bare bones. Just a counter, some laundry machines, and baskets. The background set is bare, just a few clothes baskets stacked up, but it works. It emphasizes the smallness of their world.
One funny bit is when a customer comes in, and they both jump like they've been caught doing something awful. Their fake hustle is priceless. The customer doesn't even notice, just drops off a bag.
The whole thing just feel like a snapshot of a very specific kind of boredom, you know? It's a strange kind of charm it has. It's not trying to be anything more than what it is.
There's no big message here, no hidden meaning. Just two dudes goofing off. It's an interesting watch if you're into early cinema or just need a short, low-commitment chuckle. Don't go in expecting a masterpiece, just enjoy the quiet, bumbling chaos.