Stars of Tomorrow No. 3: A dusty time capsule of forgotten stage acts

Is it worth your time?

Honestly, you probably don't need to watch Stars of Tomorrow No. 3 unless you are a die-hard fan of dusty, amateur performance footage. If you enjoy digging through old reels to see what passed for entertainment back then, you'll be fine. If you want a narrative or anything resembling a modern production value, stay away.

It’s a strange little artifact. The whole thing feels like a talent show that someone accidentally left running in the back of a projector room.

The Acts

Benny Rubin is here, and he tries his best, but the whole production has this shaky, homemade energy. There is a fan dancer who moves like she’s trying to swat away invisible bees. It’s hard not to laugh, but you feel bad doing it.

The orchestra segments are... well, they happen. The sound is tinny, and at one point, I’m pretty sure the camera operator just forgot to pan back over to the main stage. It feels less like a movie and more like a neighbor's home movie that you’re forced to watch at a dinner party.

Why it stays with you

There is a weird, haunting emptiness to some of the shots. It reminds me a bit of the frantic, forced energy in Village Cutups, where everyone is trying so hard to be charming that it becomes exhausting. It’s not a polished experience, but there’s a raw, awkward quality here you don't get in studio stuff.

I found myself staring at the background extras more than the actual performers. One guy in the back row looks like he’s having a minor existential crisis while the music plays. It’s the small, messy things that make these old reels interesting, not the "talented" people on stage.

It’s not as cohesive as Lonesome, but it’s definitely a curious piece of history. Just don't expect to be wowed by the production value. 🎞️

• The fan dancer is a highlight, purely for the awkwardness.
• The audio quality is about what you'd expect—lots of crackle.
• It’s very short, which is its best feature.