Reducing (1931): Marie Dressler and Polly Moran's Wild Weight-Loss Shenanigans

Alright, so “Reducing” is one of those films you kinda stumble upon if you’re into the old stuff, especially early talkies. Is it worth watching today? Yeah, for a very specific crowd. If you love Marie Dressler and Polly Moran, or just enjoy seeing what passed for comedy in 1931, you’ll probably get a kick out of it. Anyone expecting modern pacing or sophisticated humor, well, you might find yourself a bit bored. This one’s a quirky curio, not a timeless masterpiece. 👵😂

The Peculiar World of Mrs. Brown’s Beauty Parlor

The whole thing kicks off in this bustling beauty salon run by Mrs. Brown, played by the formidable Marie Dressler. She’s all business, very proper, very much in charge. You can tell she’s got a good thing going on.

Then her sister, Marie, played by Polly Moran, shows up. And oh boy, things immediately get… chaotic. Marie is the polar opposite of Mrs. Brown, with wild ideas and even wilder methods, especially when it comes to helping clients shed a few pounds.

It’s clear from the get-go that these two women are meant to clash. Dressler with her stern, disapproving glances, and Moran with her mischievous, almost childish glee. It’s a dynamic that really drives the whole film, even if the plot itself feels a bit thin at times.

Gags and Gadgets

A good chunk of the movie is spent on the various, frankly bonkers, weight-reducing contraptions and schemes Marie dreams up. There’s a scene with this vibrating machine that just keeps going and going. It’s supposed to slim you down, but it mostly just looks like it’s shaking the poor client apart. You can almost feel the whole set rattling with it. 🌀

And then there’s the bit where they try to use what looks like an industrial-sized dough mixer for a facial. The absurdity of it is really what you’re there for. The movie doesn't dwell too much on explaining *how* these things work, just that they exist and cause mayhem.

One of the more memorable moments involves a client who gets stuck in one of these machines. The frantic attempts to get her out are genuinely funny, mostly because Dressler is trying to keep her composure while Moran is just making everything worse with her 'help'. It’s a classic slapstick setup, and they pull it off pretty well.

Performances and Pre-Code Charm

Marie Dressler, as always, is a force of nature. She has this way of delivering a line with just a look, a sigh, or a perfectly timed grimace. You feel her frustration building, her patience wearing thin, and it’s very relatable.

Polly Moran, on the other hand, is all energy and physical comedy. She’s constantly moving, bumping into things, messing things up. Her character isn’t malicious, just utterly incompetent and full of misguided enthusiasm. Their chemistry is *the* thing here. It’s not subtle, but it works.

There are some truly bizarre side plots, too. Like the one with the aspiring boxer, Battling Butler (played by William Collier Jr.), who gets mixed up with the beauty parlor. It feels a bit shoehorned in, but it adds to the general sense of early talkie weirdness.

You also get a good sense of the pre-Code era. There are some surprisingly risqué jokes and situations that probably wouldn't have made it past the censors a few years later. Nothing too wild, mind you, but enough to make you raise an eyebrow. 👀

The pacing is definitely of its time. Sometimes a scene goes on just a little bit too long, like they were really letting the actors milk every bit of dialogue. Other times, it cuts a bit abruptly. It’s not always smooth sailing.

Final Thoughts

“Reducing” isn't a deep film. It’s a vehicle for two very popular comedic actresses, and it delivers on that front. It’s a snapshot of a different time in Hollywood, when broad physical comedy and quirky characters were king. Don’t go in expecting a tightly plotted story or profound insights.

Go in expecting to see Marie Dressler try, and often fail, to maintain order amidst the glorious chaos created by Polly Moran. And for that, it’s a pretty fun ride. It’s imperfect, sure, but it’s got a certain charm you don't see much anymore. It's a bit like watching a live stage play that's been put on film – raw and energetic, with all its little quirks intact. Definitely a watch if you're exploring the early sound era. 👍

Bits and Bobs I Noticed:

• The wigs in the beauty parlor are *something*.
• The sound quality sometimes dips, but you can always hear Dressler's booming voice.
• There’s a small detail with a phone call that just feels so antiquated and funny now.
• One client's reaction to getting a surprise treatment is priceless.
• The final sequence involves quite a lot of running around, classic Moran.