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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. Nearly Naked remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly, it depends on how much you like old-fashioned, slightly goofy physical comedy. If you enjoy movies like Crazy House for that chaotic energy, you’ll probably find something to chuckle at here. If you hate movies where the whole plot hinges on a single, silly misunderstanding, you’re going to be pulling your hair out by the ten-minute mark.
Eddie Foy Jr. is the main reason to watch this. He has this frantic way of moving that makes the whole 'nudist colony' setting feel even more uncomfortable than it already is.
The bit with the poison ivy is exactly as painful to watch as it sounds. You spend half the movie just waiting for someone to point out that his 'love sickness' is actually a bad skin rash. It’s the kind of humor that feels like it belongs in a vaudeville show, which makes sense given the roots here. 🌿
There is this one moment where Vera Marshe is just standing there, and Eddie is trying so hard to act natural while clearly dying inside from the itching. It lingers just long enough to stop being funny and start being kind of sad. But then he does a pratfall, and you’re laughing again. It’s a weird rhythm.
The supporting cast, including Billy Hughes, fills the gaps well enough. Nobody is really asking for high art here, and the movie knows that. It’s thin, it’s breezy, and it doesn't overstay its welcome.
It’s definitely not as sharp as some of the other shorts from the era, like The Telltale Heart, but it isn't trying to be. It's just trying to be a bit of fun.
It’s a light snack of a film. You watch it, you giggle at the silly antics, and then you move on. Just don't go looking for a masterpiece.