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6.5/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.5/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Love Comes Along remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you're the type of person who finds old, scratchy movies from the 1930s cozy, then yeah, give it a go. It’s perfect for a rainy afternoon when you don't want to think too hard. 🌧️
People who hate **static cameras** and actors who talk like they're reading a grocery list will probably hate it. This is early sound stuff, so everything feels a bit stiff.
Peggy, played by the lovely **Bebe Daniels**, is a singer stuck in a 'banana republic.' I’m not sure which one, it all looks like a movie set with a lot of fake palm trees. 🌴
She meets Larry, an American sailor. Lloyd Hughes plays him with a very straight back. He looks like he’s constantly posing for a recruitment poster.
They fall in love basically the second they see each other. It’s that old-school movie magic where one look is enough to commit your whole life to someone.
But then we have the local dictator, Sangredo. Montagu Love plays him, and boy, does he love to chew the scenery. 🎭
He has these **intense eyebrows** that seem to be doing more acting than the rest of his face. He wants Peggy, and Larry doesn't like that one bit.
Bebe Daniels actually sings! Her voice is real pretty, even with the hissing sound on the film strip. 🎶
There is a scene where she’s singing 'Until Love Comes Along' and the camera just... sits there. For a long time. It’s a bit awkward, but also kinda intimate in a weird way.
The sets are actually pretty cool. The saloon feels dusty and hot. You can almost feel the humidity through the screen.
I noticed a guy in the background of the bar who just stares at a bottle of rum for three straight minutes. He’s my favorite character. I wonder what he was thinking about.
The script is a bit of a mess, honestly. It was written by Edward Knoblock and Wallace Smith, and it feels like they couldn't decide if it was a romance or a thriller.
It reminds me a little bit of The Battle of the Sexes, but with more sand and fewer flappers. Or maybe Seven Faces if you like that exotic vibe.
The whole 'misunderstanding' plot is so annoying. Larry sees Peggy with the dictator and immediately thinks the worst. 😠
Dude, she’s literally just trying not to get thrown in a dungeon! Use your head, Larry!
The way he gets all high and mighty is hard to watch. It makes you want to reach into the screen and shake him.
The ending happens so fast you might blink and miss it. Everything is suddenly fine, and they're sailing away. It’s very convenient.
It’s not a masterpiece like some other films from that era, but it’s got charm. It’s better than Crooks Can't Win in my opinion, just because Bebe Daniels has so much charisma. ✨
If you like seeing how movies struggled to figure out sound, this is a great example. You can tell they were still learning how to move the actors around the microphones.
I’d say it’s a solid 6 out of 10. Good for a laugh and some nice singing. 🍹
Also, watch out for the scene with the guitar. The guy playing it isn't even touching the strings half the time. It’s hilarious. 😂
If you're looking for something else from around that time, maybe check out Below the Rio Grande. It has a similar feel but different stakes.
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