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6.3/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.3/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Over the Counter remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly, it depends on how much you love 1930s musical shorts. If you’re into snappy dance routines and don't mind a story that basically evaporates the moment the music starts, you'll have a decent time. If you need a movie that actually has, you know, stakes or character arcs, you’ll probably want to turn this off about five minutes in.
The premise is simple: guy inherits a store, decides it’s too boring, swaps the employees for chorus girls. It’s a very 1930s way to solve a business problem. Why hire accountants when you can have tap-dancing? 💃
The store setting feels pretty artificial, which is expected. It’s all very stage-bound. There’s a moment where a customer tries to buy something and it just feels like an interruption to the real show. The movie isn't interested in retail; it’s interested in legs.
Betty Grable is here, which is a nice treat. She’s got that spark that makes even the most generic scenes feel a bit more alive. Franklin Pangborn shows up, doing that signature fussy thing he does. You know exactly what you’re getting with him, but he’s always reliable for a laugh.
The middle section drags a bit while they try to pretend there’s a conflict. It reminds me of the pacing in Pardon Us, where you’re mostly just waiting for the next bit of physical comedy or song to start. Everything feels secondary to the choreography.
Is it a masterpiece? No. Does it feel like a fever dream of a department store manager who spent too much time at the theater? Absolutely. It’s not as chaotic as Speed Demons, but it has that same 'let’s just throw stuff at the screen' energy.
Sometimes you just want to see people dance on counters. This delivers that. Don't look for more.