Watching 1930s Stars Act Like Real People in Screen Snapshots

Is this worth your time?

If you're into film history or just really love the idea of watching Eleanor Powell step off a train like it's a monumental event, then sure, go for it. If you want a plot, or even a coherent theme, you’re going to be bored to tears within thirty seconds. This is for the weirdos like me who enjoy Playing Dead just to see how cameras used to move.

The whole thing feels like someone’s fever dream of a travel agency commercial. You’ve got these massive diesel trains and sleeper planes, and it’s all presented with this strange, earnest enthusiasm. You can tell they were trying to sell the glamour of travel, but it mostly just feels like watching people stand in lines for a really long time.

The swimming party on the Grace Liner is... well, it’s exactly as stiff as you’d imagine. Everyone is smiling at the camera like they’ve been told they’ll be shot if they stop. It’s hilarious in a way the filmmakers definitely didn't intend.

Oddly specific observations:

• The way Eleanor Powell looks at that train is like she’s seeing fire for the first time.
• The Beverly Wilshire Hotel looks so much cleaner than it does today it actually hurts my eyes.
• Someone really wanted us to know about American Airlines' new sleeper seats. They hold on that shot for a weird amount of time.

There's this underlying feeling of forced casualness throughout the whole short. It reminds me of the pacing in The Traveling Salesman, where you’re just waiting for something to actually happen, but the movie just keeps showing you more footage of people waving from windows. It’s not a movie, really. It’s just an artifact.

I found myself wondering if anyone actually had fun at that party, or if they were just checking their watches the whole time. You can see the exhaustion behind the eyes of the extras. It’s a nice change of pace from modern stuff that’s polished until it’s invisible. 🎥

Don't expect to be moved. Just watch it for the weird historical texture. Or don't. It doesn't really matter.