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6.1/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.1/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. On the Loose remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have ever been on a date that felt like a repeat of every other bad date you've ever had, you will totally get this movie. It is only about twenty minutes long, but it captures that specific feeling of 'not this again' so perfectly.
Thelma Todd and Zasu Pitts are the leads here, and they are basically the best comedy duo that nobody talks about enough anymore. They play roommates who are just done with the local boys taking them to the same noisy amusement park every single weekend.
I think anyone who likes classic slapstick will find this worth watching. But if you hate loud, chaotic energy or people making bad decisions, you might want to skip it. 🎡
Thelma is so bright and full of energy, while Zasu is doing her usual thing where she looks like she’s about to cry or faint at any second. It’s a great contrast. The way Zasu flutters her hands around is just... it's her signature move and it never gets old for me.
There is this one moment early on where they are complaining about their tired feet. You can tell they actually like each other as friends, which makes the comedy work better. It doesn't feel forced like some of those other shorts from that era, like maybe The Cave Inn where things feel a bit more scripted.
The writing by Hal Roach and H.M. Walker is pretty sharp. They don't waste any time getting to the point. The girls want a 'real' date with 'real' gentlemen. 🎩
They meet these two Englishmen, played by John Loder and Claud Allister. These guys are so posh. They wear top hats and carry canes and talk with those really thick accents that make everything sound important.
The girls think they’ve finally hit the jackpot. No more hot dogs and sticky rollercoasters! They get all dressed up in their best clothes, looking very 1930s chic.
Then the guys say they have a special surprise location in mind. The look on Thelma's face when they realize where they are going is the highlight of the whole thing. It’s that 'I want to scream but I have to be polite' expression we've all had.
Once they get to Coney Island, everything goes sideways. The movie gets really messy here, but in a fun way. There’s a bit with a funhouse that feels like it was probably dangerous to film back then.
I noticed one of the background extras almost loses his hat in the crowd scene. It's those little things that make these old movies feel more real to me. It wasn't all perfectly cleaned up in post-production.
Thelma gets stuck in one of those spinning barrel things. It goes on for a while. Maybe a little too long? But her physical comedy is top-notch. She’s not afraid to look completely ridiculous.
Okay, I have to talk about the ending. Out of nowhere, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy show up. It’s just a tiny cameo, but it’s so satisfying. They don’t even have to do much. Just being there makes the whole world of the movie feel connected.
It reminds me a bit of the vibe in Pack Up Your Troubles, but way shorter. The boys just have this way of making a scene better by just standing there looking confused.
The ending is kind of abrupt. It doesn't really wrap up the story, it just... stops. But that’s how these shorts usually go. It leaves you feeling a bit breathless.
Honestly, it’s just a fun time. It’s not a masterpiece, and it’s definitely not deep. But if you want to see two funny women deal with the universal struggle of a terrible date, give it a look. It’s way better than some of the more serious stuff like Behind Office Doors from the same time.
I’ll probably watch it again next time I’m feeling grumpy about going out. It makes my own life feel a bit more normal. 🍿
IMDb —
1915
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