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Cult Review
Senior Film Conservator
Alright, so you've stumbled upon Lord Richard in the Pantry. Maybe on a classic film channel, or perhaps you dug up a DVD. Is it worth your time today? Well, that really depends on what you're looking for. If you appreciate those gentle, slightly awkward British comedies from the early 1930s – the kind with impeccable manners and even more impeccable messes – then yeah, absolutely, give it a go. But if your movie diet demands fast action or a plot that races, this one might feel like watching paint dry. It’s a true *niche* watch, honestly, for those who love digging into film history.
The whole setup is pretty clever. Lord Richard, played with a sort of bewildered earnestness by Richard Cooper, is completely broke. To make matters worse, there’s this rather *unpleasant* business about some missing money, and he’s facing accusations. His solution? To hide in plain sight. He just decides to become a butler in someone else's posh home. Talk about a drastic career change! 🤵
Cooper really makes the most of the premise. You see him trying so hard to act the part. He's constantly fumbling with the silverware, or looking at the other staff with wide, slightly terrified eyes, like he's trying to decode a foreign language. There’s a scene where he’s serving tea, and he almost sends the entire tray flying. It’s not a big, slapstick moment, but the way he catches it, just barely, with a little gasp – that’s where the humor really lands. It's all about the *subtle* panic.
The other household staff are quite the characters, too. There's this one cook, a wonderfully stern woman (Barbara Gott, I think it was?), who eyes him up and down. She clearly suspects something is off with this new butler, but she can't quite articulate it. Her silent, suspicious glares are often funnier than any line she delivers. She just *knows*.
Pacing-wise, it's definitely a film of its era. Some moments just… linger. There’s a long shot of Lord Richard polishing silver, just clink-clink-clink, for what feels like a minute. No dialogue, just the sound. For some, this might be a bit slow, but it actually gives the film a strange, almost meditative quality. It lets you soak in the quiet absurdity of his situation.
The clothes are all very period, of course. Lots of starched aprons and neat waistcoats for the staff, and the ladies of the house in their elegant, albeit stiff, dresses. It’s a good visual contrast to Lord Richard's plight, highlighting just how far he’s fallen – or how well he's pretending to fit in. The sets are pretty straightforward, mostly grand drawing rooms and dining halls, but they do the job.
The whole 'avoiding theft accusations' plot, it's there to move things along, but it never really feels urgent. You're never truly worried for Lord Richard. It's more of a gentle nudge into the next awkward social interaction. It’s not the kind of high-stakes drama that keeps you on the edge of your seat; more like, 'oh dear, what a peculiar predicament.'
I kept wondering if anyone would recognize him. Like, surely someone from his aristocratic circles would pop over for a visit and realize, 'Hang on, isn't that Lord Richard serving the sherry?' The film doesn't really lean into that particular angle, which felt like a missed opportunity for some extra comedic tension. But then again, maybe that’s just me, always looking for more dramatic irony. 🤷♀️
So, yeah, Lord Richard in the Pantry is a quiet little slice of film history. It's not going to blow your mind with special effects or a twisty plot, but it offers a genuinely charming, if understated, experience. It’s a pleasant reminder of how simple comedies used to work, relying on character and situation rather than big gags. You might just find yourself rooting for the poor guy, trying to keep his head above water, one polished spoon at a time. It’s got a certain *sweetness* to it, you know?
IMDb 7
1930
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