On Ice: A Wobbly Trip Down Memory Lane

Wait, how is he still standing?

Honestly, watching On Ice feels like watching a slow-motion car crash in reverse. You know something is going to go wrong, and you’re just waiting for the exact frame where Harry Langdon finally hits the floor. ⛸️

It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s definitely better than some of the more tired stuff like The Debt of Honor. Langdon has this specific way of looking confused that makes you wonder if he actually knows where he is.

The Slapstick Shuffle

There’s a moment about halfway through where he tries to navigate the ice, and his legs just decide to go on strike. It lasts forever. It’s glorious. Most modern comedies would have cut away five seconds earlier.

The pacing is a bit all over the place, which is fine by me. It feels like someone was just figuring out the rhythm as they went along. No fancy editing, no trying to be deep. Just a guy sliding around.

• The background extras look like they are actively trying not to laugh.
• The ice looks suspiciously like a studio floor painted white.
• That one guy in the hat—what was his deal?

Sometimes the film feels like it’s struggling to stay upright, much like Langdon himself. It isn't as tight as A Racing Romeo, but it has a weird, shaky charm to it. It’s almost like watching a home movie that accidentally got released to the public.

If you're looking for a plot that makes sense, look elsewhere. If you want to see a man fight a losing battle against physics, you're in the right place. Don't expect it to change your life. Just watch it, maybe giggle a bit, and move on. ❄️