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5.9/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.9/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Sock and Run remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Alright, so Sock and Run. This old silent film, it's one of those bits of history where, if you’re really into the early days of slapstick, you might find something to chuckle at. But honestly? If you’re not already a big fan of this specific kind of old-school chaos, you probably won't be rushing to tell all your friends about it. It’s got some moments, sure, but it also feels a little… *thin* for modern eyes. For a quick watch, maybe. For deep engagement, nah. 🤷♀️
The whole thing kicks off with this French cousin, played by 'Snub' Pollard, arriving in America, and he just immediately starts being a whirlwind of unintentional destruction. He’s supposed to be charming, I guess, but mostly he just trips over things and makes a mess. Like, literally from the moment he steps off the boat, things just start breaking around him. It’s a classic setup for these sorts of comedies, where the main character is a walking disaster zone.
Pollard, as the cousin, has this really expressive face. He does a lot of wide-eyed stares and frantic hand gestures that are pretty typical for the era. Sometimes it lands, sometimes it feels a bit much. There’s one bit where he’s trying to eat spaghetti, and it just gets everywhere. You can see the effort, but the gag itself… it’s a bit predictable, even for its time.
Things really pick up when the action moves to Coney Island. The energy of the place really helps the film, gives it a bit of a lift. There are these quick shots of the rides and the crowds, and it feels like a real place, which is nice.
This is where our cousin, full of bravado, decides he’s a prizefighter. He just kinda *says* it, out loud, to impress someone, and then suddenly he’s roped into a big boxing match. It’s a pretty flimsy reason for a fight, but hey, it’s a silent comedy. Plot isn’t exactly the strong suit here.
The boxing match itself is pretty wild. Lots of flailing arms and exaggerated falls. Pollard gets knocked around quite a bit, but he keeps getting back up. There’s a moment where he just *clings* to the ropes, looking absolutely bewildered, and it’s probably the funniest part of the whole short. The crowd in the background, they’re really into it, jumping up and down. You almost feel the dust from the ring through the screen.
And there's this one guy in the background of the fight scene, kinda tall, wearing a fedora. He's just *constantly* adjusting his tie, even when everyone else is reacting to a big punch. It was a really small detail, but I kept noticing him. Like, dude, there's a boxing match happening! 😂
Beyond 'Snub' Pollard, the other actors mostly just react to his antics. Jack Grant plays the straight man, I guess, trying to keep things from completely falling apart. And then there’s a Roger Moore listed in the cast, which, when I first saw it, I did a double-take. Like, *that* Roger Moore? But nope, different guy. Just a common name, I suppose.
The pacing is pretty typical for a short of this period. It moves fast, jumps from one gag to the next without much breathing room. Sometimes it feels like they just crammed as many ideas as possible into the runtime, hoping some would stick. Some do, some don't. The overall effect is a bit scattershot, like a series of sketches strung together with a very thin thread.
There's a gag involving a dog later on that feels like it was tacked on. It’s not bad, but it doesn't really fit with the whole boxing storyline. Just a dog chasing the cousin around a pier. It’s cute, I guess, but it felt a little out of place after all the fisticuffs.
So, *Sock and Run*? It's a quick trip back to a different kind of movie-making. You'll see 'Snub' Pollard do his thing, get a glimpse of old Coney Island, and witness a very enthusiastic boxing match. It's not a masterpiece, but it’s an interesting peek if you have a moment. 👍
IMDb —
1917
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