No Sale Smitty: A Delightful Little Mess of a Silent Short

No Sale Smitty: A Delightful Little Mess of a Silent Short

If you're digging through old silent shorts looking for something *genuinely charming* and a little silly, then 'No Sale Smitty' might just surprise you. It's a quick watch, good for a laugh, but if you need big drama or complex plots, you'll probably just scratch your head. This one's for the vintage comedy buffs, really. Folks looking for deep meaning should probably look elsewhere, like maybe The Slaver.

Donald Haines, as Smitty, is just a bundle of youthful energy, all eager smiles and flailing limbs. He's this earnest kid trying to sell whatever gizmo is in his sample case that day.

The film doesn't waste any time. We meet Smitty trying to sell some sort of kitchen gadget to a rather stern-looking woman, played by Maude Truax. It's clear from the start he's got more heart than actual selling skills. You can almost feel him *trying too hard* to make the sale, which is half the fun.

There's this one bit where Smitty tries to demonstrate a new-fangled potato peeler. It's supposed to be super quick, right? Instead, he ends up flinging potato bits all over the poor woman's pristine kitchen. The way he just freezes, eyes wide, is pretty funny. It’s a classic physical comedy moment, totally silent, but you hear the mess.

The pacing is a little… *loose* in the middle, like they just needed to fill a few more frames. But that’s okay. It gives you time to appreciate the small details.

Like, the costumes. Smitty’s little suit always looks a bit too big for him, adding to his awkward charm. And the hats! Everyone wears a hat, of course. 🎩

Joseph Belmont pops up as a gruff, easily annoyed homeowner later on. His exasperated expressions are a highlight. He just wants peace, and Smitty brings chaos.

The film isn't trying to be anything more than it is: a series of lighthearted mishaps. It’s not The Mysterious Pearl with its elaborate twists. No, this is much simpler.

One scene involves Smitty trying to sell a cleaning product, and he somehow manages to get himself completely covered in suds. It’s a proper mess. The visual gag just keeps escalating, and you can practically hear the director yelling, "More foam!" 🧼

There's a subtle charm in how everyone reacts to Smitty's failures. Nobody is truly mean to him, just kinda resigned. Jackie Combs, for instance, plays a young kid who watches Smitty's antics with a mixture of confusion and glee. That kid’s reaction shots are priceless.

You can see the obvious setup for many of the gags, but that's part of the silent film appeal. It's pretty obvious what's gonna happen next, but that's kinda the fun of it. It's not aiming for surprise, more for the *inevitability* of Smitty's latest blunder.

The movie gets noticeably better once it stops trying to have a coherent plot, and just lets Smitty bounce from one household disaster to another. It just lets the physical comedy shine. ✨

Honestly, it's not a film you'll write essays about. But if you spend a few minutes with Smitty, you'll likely crack a smile. It's a sweet, unpretentious peek into a bygone era of simple laughs. A decent little distraction, really. 👍

Didja Notice?

• Smitty's tie is always just a little crooked.
• The prop potatoes in the peeling scene looked suspiciously rubbery.
• One of the doorbells sounds like a small bird chirping.
• The cat that walks through one scene completely ignores Smitty’s chaos.
• The shadows are *super* dramatic in a few of the indoor shots.