Show Kids: A Vaudeville Fever Dream

Is it worth your time?

If you like historical curiosities that feel like you accidentally stumbled into a fever dream, sure. If you prefer movies that actually have a coherent plot, stay away.

It’s a bizarre relic for people who collect weird old cinema. Anyone looking for a grounded drama about the Depression will probably hate it.

The Vibe

There is something deeply unsettling about watching a dozen children perform tap routines while the world outside is falling apart. It's like a weird, high-energy ghost story where the ghosts are just really good at synchronized jumping.

The Palace Theater is supposedly broke, but the sheer volume of costumes and props these kids have is a total mystery. Where did they get the money? Who cares, I guess.

Odd Moments

The pacing is all over the place. One minute you’re watching a kid try to deliver a line with some actual stakes, and the next, there’s an entire musical number that lasts way too long. It feels like the camera just got bored of the dialogue and decided to film the dance practice instead. 💃

There's this one reaction shot of Mr. Jenkins that lingers for about three seconds too long. You can see him trying to remember if he left the oven on at home. It’s hilarious.

Comparing notes

It definitely lacks the polished, albeit strange, charm of something like The Nickel Nurser. Those films knew exactly what they were—this one feels like it’s trying to be a heartwarming musical and a business drama at the same time, and it’s not really either.

It reminds me a bit of the chaotic energy in Sports Day at Animal Village, but with more shouting and less fur. You can almost hear the director off-screen telling the kids to 'smile harder' until it looks like their faces might crack.

A few quick takeaways

• The tap dancing is surprisingly loud for a movie from this era.
• The 'tough' theater owner is a total pushover.
• The kid actors look like they’ve had way too much coffee.
• There is a lot of frantic running in hallways.

It’s not a masterpiece. It’s barely a movie, honestly. But there’s something about the earnestness of it that keeps you watching. It’s like watching a train wreck, but the train is made of glitter and miniature tuxedoes. ✨