One Good Turn (1930) - Ruth Etting is too good for this guy

If you have about twenty minutes and you like the sound of old records, this is worth your time. It is a bit of a time capsule for people who like early sound films. If you hate crackly audio or actors who stand very still, you will probably want to skip it.

It’s basically a story about how being a nice person can sometimes blow up in your face. Ruth Etting plays Ruth Eton—I guess the writers weren't feeling very creative that day. She is part of a singing duo with this guy Farrell.

The agents tell her to dump him if she wants to be a star. She doesn’t. She stays. She actually gives him singing lessons for months to help him get better. Big mistake.

I love the scene where they are practicing. You can see the microphones were probably hidden in the furniture because nobody moves an inch. It feels very stiff, but Ruth has this look in her eyes that makes you believe she really cares. Jay Velie is also there, doing his thing, but it's really her show.

Then, Farrell gets good. Like, really good. And the second he gets a taste of fame, he just leaves her behind. It is so cold. I actually found myself talking back to the screen when he walked out. He didn't even look back once.

The movie gets really dramatic when he suddenly loses his voice. It happens so fast. One minute he is the big star, the next he’s basically a mime. This is the 1930s version of 'karma,' I guess. 🎤

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of One Good Turn (1930) through its definitive frames.

It reminds me a bit of the vibe in Trying to Get Along, though the music here feels a bit more central. It’s definitely more interesting than something like A Close Shave, which is just... well, it's different. This one has actual stakes, even if they are a bit silly.

There is this one moment where a shadow on the back wall just hangs there for way too long. I think a crew member was standing in the way of a light. It’s these little mistakes that make these old shorts feel so human to me.

The ending is exactly what you expect. He realizes who his real friends are. It’s not deep, but it’s sweet. It’s the kind of movie you watch on a rainy Sunday when you want to feel a little bit of old-school sadness.

One thing I noticed was how Farrell’s hair never seems to move, even when he’s supposed to be distressed. It’s like it was painted on his head. Also, the transition between the singing and the talking is always a bit jarring in these early Vitaphone-style films.

Why it works (mostly)

• Ruth Etting’s voice is like velvet, even through the hiss.
• The betrayal actually feels annoying to watch.
• It’s short enough that it doesn't overstay its welcome.

If you've seen Her Accidental Husband, you know that 1920s and 30s drama can be a bit thick. This is no exception. But the music makes it easier to swallow. It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s a good look at how the industry viewed talent and loyalty back then.

I wish there was more of Ruth just singing and less of the guy moping around at the end. He was a jerk for most of the runtime, so it's hard to feel too bad for him when he loses his voice. Still, it’s a solid piece of history. 🎥

Just don't expect any fancy camera work. The camera stays put. It’s like watching a play from the front row. Sometimes that's all you need though.