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5.8/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.8/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Merrily Yours remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly, you’re only here for one reason: to see a young Shirley Temple being an absolute menace. If you’re a fan of old-school, short-form comedies, you’ll probably get a kick out of how frantic this gets. If you’re looking for a plot that makes sense or doesn't feel like it was slapped together on a lunch break, you might want to skip it.
It’s essentially a 20-minute hostage situation. Sonny just wants to go to a party. Mary Lou just wants to ruin his entire life by staying awake.
The pacing is all over the place, which is fine because the movie doesn't overstay its welcome. You can tell they were trying to squeeze every bit of charm out of the premise. There’s a specific kind of frustration in Kenneth Howell’s eyes that I think every older brother has felt at least once.
Some of the slapstick feels a bit tired. It’s not exactly The Stage Hand in terms of physical comedy brilliance. But watching these two go back and forth in their own house is surprisingly high-stakes for something so small.
I wouldn't say this is a lost masterpiece or anything. It feels like a quick filler piece that someone found in a drawer. Still, it’s got a weird, frantic energy that I kinda dig. It’s definitely more fun than sitting through something like The Bromley Case, which feels like a total slog by comparison.
It’s not perfect. The editing jumps around like the film was cut with safety scissors. But for what it is, it hits the spot. 🍿