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6.2/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.2/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Mr. Skitch remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have a soft spot for Will Rogers and the kind of low-stakes, dusty road trip movies that feel like a postcard from a forgotten decade, you’ll probably have a nice time. If you need a plot that actually goes somewhere or a film that isn't essentially just a series of 'oops, the car broke down' gags, you’ll be bored out of your mind within twenty minutes.
Will Rogers carries this whole thing on his back. He has this way of talking that makes you feel like he’s sitting on the porch next to you, even if the movie is just showing him getting ripped off by a shady mechanic in the middle of nowhere. He’s the only reason this isn't just a collection of sketches.
There is something surprisingly honest about how the movie handles the car. It isn't a sleek, romanticized vision of the American highway. It’s loud, it’s cramped, and everyone looks genuinely sweaty. ZaSu Pitts is doing her usual fluttery thing, which honestly starts to wear thin after the third flat tire, but she plays the long-suffering wife role well enough to keep the dynamic from sinking.
I found myself staring at the background extras more than the main cast. There’s this one scene near the Grand Canyon where the people in the back look like they’re just waiting for lunch. It feels less like a movie set and more like a real, slightly awkward tourist stop.
It’s not as tight as Fast and Furious, though they share that weird, frantic energy that older comedies have. Honestly, if you enjoyed the vibe of Finn and Hattie, this is going to be right up your alley. It’s got that same ‘we’re making this up as we go along’ charm.
Is it a masterpiece? Hardly. But it’s not trying to be. It’s a movie about a guy trying to get his family to California without losing his mind. I think we’ve all been on a trip like that, even if our cars don't have wooden spokes. It’s imperfect, it’s a little messy, and it’s perfectly fine for a rainy Sunday. 🚗
