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6.3/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.3/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. No, No, Nanette remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Okay, so 'No, No, Nanette' from 1930. Is it worth checking out today? Well, if you like old musicals, *really* old musicals, and don't mind a bit of a slow pace, then maybe. It's definitely not for folks who need fast plots or modern humor. You'll probably hate it if you can't stand seeing how films used to be made. 🕰️
The premise itself is kinda wild: Jimmy Smith, our bible publisher, somehow finds himself entangled with a chorus girl and then, poof, he's backing a big Broadway show. It's one of those plots that makes you go, "Huh?" 🤔 Like, how did we even get here?
Zasu Pitts is in this, and honestly, she's the best part. Her whole frantic, worried vibe, even when she’s just reacting in the background, just *pops*. She plays Nanette, and her expressions are priceless.
Like, there's a moment when she’s just trying to understand all the chaos happening around her, and her face is doing all the work. You just wanna give her a hug. She brings a much-needed splash of something _real_.
The musical numbers... they're *of their time*. Lots of big ensembles with the Larry Ceballos Girls doing their thing, all in sync. Some of them are catchy, sure, but others kinda blend together.
It feels like they had to fill the runtime, you know? A lot of tap dancing, some singing, repeat. 👯♀️
There's this whole tangle of misunderstandings about who's funding what, and who's seeing who. It’s supposed to be funny, but some of it just feels a bit… forced. Like a lot of characters are just talking *past* each other, not really listening.
I kept thinking about how the sound must have been a big deal back then. The singing is clear, but the dialogue sometimes feels a little stiff. It’s like everyone's waiting for their exact cue to speak.
The sets are pretty elaborate for a 1930 film. Especially the stage sets for the show itself, all glittery and grand. You can tell they put effort into making it look big.
Lilyan Tashman plays this sassy character, and she brings a good energy. She’s one of the few who feels like she's really *playing* rather than just reciting lines. Her confidence is a nice contrast.
The plot tries to juggle a few love stories and mistaken identities. It gets a little convoluted, honestly. You kinda lose track of who's mad at whom and why.
One scene, where Jimmy is trying to explain himself to everyone, just goes on for ages. You can almost feel the movie *trying* to convince you this moment matters. But it just keeps going, and you're kinda wishing it would speed up. 💨
It's a peek into early talkies and musicals. If that's your jam, and you have a soft spot for the really old stuff, great. Otherwise, it's a bit of a charming, bewildering slog. Don't go in expecting anything modern.
IMDb 5.5
1928
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