On Guard (1928) - A Silly College Prank That Goes Too Far

Is it worth your time?

If you have about twenty minutes and like seeing people in oversized 1920s sweaters, then yes. It is a quick watch for silent film nerds but modern sports fans might find the 'hockey' a bit slow.

Most people will probably find it a bit too simple. But if you like that specific vintage college vibe, it’s a neat little time capsule. 🏒

The whole thing centers on Ed Benson. He is the big man on campus at Calford College.

He has this tiny car, a flivver, that looks like it would fall apart if you sneezed too hard. It is actually pretty funny seeing him cram himself into it.

The plot is basically a pre-war version of a prank video gone wrong. The rival school, Midvale, really wants to win the hockey match.

So, they decide the best way to win isn't to practice harder. Instead, they frame Ed for a hit-and-run.

They make him believe he’s actually killed someone with his car. It is kind of a heavy plot point for a light comedy, isn't it?

The way they set it up is so goofy. You can see the 'body' is clearly a dummy or a guy just laying very still in a way that wouldn't fool anyone today.

Ed’s reaction is what makes it. He gets this look of pure absolute terror on his face that stays there for like five minutes.

He spends a good chunk of the movie panicking while the clock ticks down to the game. You really feel for the guy, even if he is a bit gullible.

The pacing is actually pretty fast. It doesn't drag as much as something like The Enemy which is way more serious.

There is a scene where he’s trying to hide or get away that feels like it belongs in a different movie. It’s almost like a thriller for a second.

I noticed a small detail with the hats. Everyone in the crowd has the exact same hat style, it’s like a sea of grey felt.

The girl, Dorothy Gulliver, doesn't have much to do except look worried. But she does the worried look better than most. 👒

Eventually, the ruse is discovered. I won't say how, but it involves some pretty lucky timing.

Then we get the big hockey finale. The 'action' shots of the game are a bit chaotic.

The camera is mostly just sitting there on the sidelines. You can barely tell who is who once they start sliding around.

It’s not exactly the high-speed sports filming we have now. It feels more like watching a bunch of kids on a frozen pond, which I guess is what it was.

There’s a bit of a scramble at the end. Ed arrives just in time, obviously.

The way he enters the rink is very dramatic. He doesn't even look tired from the whole 'thinking I'm a murderer' ordeal.

I wonder if people back then thought this was a realistic prank. It seems so mean-spirited to do to a rival!

It reminds me a little of the energy in 'Lots' of Water, just that weird silent-era logic. Things just happen because the script says so.

The film ends exactly how you think it will. There are no big surprises here, just a lot of college spirit and hand-shaking.

Eddie Phillips is charming enough as the lead. He has that classic 'leading man' face that doesn't really exist anymore.

I wish the Midvale villains were a bit more mustache-twirly. They felt a little bit generic compared to the heroes.

One thing that bugged me was the lighting in the indoor scenes. It’s very flat, almost like they just turned on every light in the building and hoped for the best.

But the outdoor stuff on the ice looks great. The natural light makes the film look way more expensive than it probably was.

If you've seen The Orphan, you know how these old stories like to play with tragedy and comedy. This one leans way more into the comedy side though.

Overall, it’s a decent way to spend a few minutes. It won't change your life or anything.

It’s just a simple story about a guy, his car, and a very stressful Saturday. We’ve all been there, right? Minus the fake manslaughter.

Check it out if you find a good copy. Most of these old Calford shorts are floating around in pretty rough shape.

This one was surprisingly clear. You can actually see the breath of the players in the cold air, which is a nice touch. ❄️