Ruby Lips (1929) Review - Charley Chase is a nervous wreck

Is Ruby Lips worth your time today? If you like watching a man sweat through his suit because of a tiny mistake, then absolutely.

It’s perfect for people who miss when comedies were just 20 minutes of escalating problems. You will probably hate it if you need a plot that makes actual sense or if you can't stand silent-era mugging at the camera.

Charley Chase is the star here and he’s doing his usual thing. He has this way of looking at the camera that makes you feel like you're his only friend in the world. 🍿

The whole thing starts with a lipstick mark. It is such a trope, right? But back in 1929, this was high-stakes drama for a married man.

Leo McCarey wrote this one, and you can kinda tell. He has a touch for making people do embarrassing things for way too long.

The scene where Charley tries to hide the mark is pure anxiety. I found myself checking my own face in the reflection of my laptop.

Gale Henry shows up too. She is honestly one of the most underrated faces from this time. She has this way of looking stiff and flexible at the same time.

Some of the gags feel a bit recycled from stuff like The Cat's Whiskers, but Charley makes them feel fresh. He’s just so likable even when he’s being a total idiot.

There’s a bit with a ladder that feels like it was filmed on a very windy day. You can see the actors squinting a little bit.

I noticed the background extras in one shot just standing there. They look like they’re waiting for a bus that’s never coming. It’s awkwardly funny.

The movie doesn't really have a big message. It's just about a guy trying not to get yelled at by his wife.

If you’ve seen Watch Your Wife, you know the vibe. Marriage in the 20s seemed like a constant battle of wits and laundry stains.

I think the middle section drags for about three minutes. They spend a lot of time in a hallway that looks very cheap.

Even for a short, the set design is... well, it's a room. It’s got a door and a chair. 🪑

But Nina Quartero brings some energy to the screen. She doesn't have much to do except look pretty and be part of the confusion, but she does it well.

There is a weird cut near the end. One second he’s by the window, the next he’s halfway across the room. It’s a bit jarring if you’re paying attention.

I kept thinking about Hollywood Bound while watching this. There’s a specific kind of frantic energy that only exists in these late-silent shorts.

The mustache on Charley is a character of its own. It twitchs when he gets nervous. I wonder how much wax they used to keep it that perfect during the stunts.

Frank Austin plays a small part and he looks like he’s having a terrible time. His face is like a crushed paper bag.

It’s not as grand as Davy Crockett or something epic. It’s small. It’s localized. It’s about a man and a smudge.

Stuff I noticed while watching:

• The lighting in the office scene is weirdly bright on one side.
• Charley’s hat seems to change shape twice.
• The way people pointed back then was so aggressive. ☝️
• There’s a dog in the background of one shot that looks very confused.

I wouldn't say this is a masterpiece. It’s more like a really good snack. You eat it, you enjoy it, and you move on with your life.

The ending feels a bit rushed, like they ran out of film or the sun was going down. It just sort of... stops.

But that’s okay. Not every movie needs to wrap everything up in a neat little bow. Sometimes a guy just needs to escape a lipstick scandal and go home.

If you're looking for something deep, maybe try Alraune instead. This is just for laughs.

Overall, I liked it. It made me smile, and in a world where everything is three hours long, a 20-minute panic attack is refreshing.

Go watch it if you can find a decent print. Most of these old shorts are scratchy as hell, but that’s part of the charm.

It’s like looking through a window into a world that was much noisier than the silence suggests. 🎬