Peeking at the Stars in Screen Snapshots Series 13, No. 3

Is it worth your time?

Honestly, it depends on how much you care about the minutiae of old Hollywood. If you get a kick out of seeing actors looking slightly bored while waiting for a lighting change, you'll love this. If you want a narrative, you'll probably hate it. It’s a series of disconnected snippets that move faster than a caffeinated squirrel.

The whole thing feels like you found a box of loose film reels in an attic. There’s no real polish here. It just jumps from one star to another with almost zero context. It’s kind of great because of that.

Oddly Specific Notes

• There’s a moment where an actor keeps adjusting his hat, and you can tell he’s just dying for the director to yell cut.
• The editing feels like someone was just splicing bits of tape together while drinking coffee.
• The music is weirdly upbeat for what is essentially just people walking around on a lot.

I found myself thinking about The Canvas Kisser while watching this. There’s a similar vibe of 'let’s just get the shot' that permeates the whole thing. It’s not trying to be high art. It’s just trying to exist.

There is a segment that lasts maybe thirty seconds too long where nothing happens except someone smiling at the camera. It’s awkward, but in a way that makes you feel like you're actually there. You don't get that from modern, super-slick behind-the-scenes content. 🎥

It’s not as funny as False Alarm, but it has this weird, detached honesty to it. You aren't watching a 'performance' so much as you're watching people be people. Mostly. Sort of.

I wouldn't call this 'essential' viewing, but if you're deep in a rabbit hole of film history, it's a solid little detour. Just don't go in expecting a cohesive experience. It’s just snapshots. 🎞️