Let's Go Bathing! is a weird, itchy trip to the 1920s beach

Is it worth the five minutes?

If you like looking at old clothes or seeing how people used to act when they knew a camera was watching, then yes. It’s a tiny slice of history that feels like finding a dusty photo album in a basement.

People who want a plot or actual characters should probably look elsewhere. Maybe try West of Broadway instead if you want a real story.

This isn't really a movie in the way we think of them now. It's more of a promotional reel for swimsuits and the actors wearing them.

The title card says "Summer is acumen in," which I think is a reference to a very old poem. Or maybe they just couldn't spell back then? Just kidding. 😅

It’s funny to see these "famous stage folk" trying to look natural on a beach. They mostly just stand there looking a bit stiff, like they are worried about getting sand in their shoes.

Speaking of shoes, why did everyone wear shoes to the beach in 1920? Some of the ladies have these lace-up boots that look like they would take twenty minutes to put on.

Ruby Miller shows up and she has this incredibly confident vibe. She’s wearing a hat that is honestly too big for any human head to support comfortably.

I kept waiting for someone to actually jump in the water. But they mostly just pose near it.

The outfits look like they are made of heavy wool. Can you imagine swimming in wool? You would probably sink straight to the bottom like a bag of rocks.

It reminds me of the fashion stuff you see in California Scrap Book, but with more British gloom. The sky looks very grey and the water looks freezing cold.

There is a shot of Nelson Keys where he looks slightly confused about where to put his hands. It’s a very human moment in a film that feels very staged.

Cicely Courtneidge has that classic stage energy where she over-explains everything with her eyebrows. It’s charming, but also a little bit much for a five-minute fashion show.

The way they transition between the actors is very abrupt. One person finishes posing and—bam—the next one is just there.

It doesn't have the artistic weight of something like Strike, obviously. It’s just light, fluffy, and a little bit weird.

I noticed one of the background extras just staring at the camera for a second too long. It’s those little mistakes that make these old films feel alive to me.

The whole thing feels very polite. Everyone is smiling and trying to convince you that wearing three layers of fabric to the ocean is a great idea.

I wonder if they got to keep the clothes after the shoot. I hope not, for their sake. 🌊

It’s a bit like a time capsule that someone forgot to bury properly. It’s not essential viewing, but it’s a curiosity that makes you glad we invented spandex.

There is something peaceful about the lack of sound, too. You just watch the wind blow their capes around and imagine the sound of the seagulls.

If you're in the mood for something more dramatic, you'd be better off with Bad Sister. But if you just want to see some 1920s hats, stay right here.

Anyway, it’s over before you can even finish a cup of coffee. And sometimes that's exactly what you need from a movie.