Stars of Tomorrow No. 5: A strange little time capsule of talent

If you're into dusty, weird old shorts from the thirties, you might find a kick out of Stars of Tomorrow No. 5. It’s definitely not for everyone, though. If you hate variety shows or people whistling with their throats, stay far away.

It’s really just a stage set with Benny Rubin trying his best to hold it all together. He’s got that classic, slightly loud energy that makes you feel like you’re sitting in a packed theater. He’s definitely the glue here. Without him, this would just be a series of random auditions.

The talent is surprisingly solid, even if it feels a bit dated now. The banjo players had a rhythm that made me tap my foot despite myself. And that throat whistler? I honestly didn't know you could do that with your neck muscles. Pretty creepy, but cool.

There's this one moment with the acrobatic dancers that goes on just a tiny bit too long. You can tell they were really pushing for that applause. It reminded me a bit of the frantic energy in Beggar on Horseback, where everything feels like it’s about to tip over into chaos.

The whole thing has this weird, empty feeling in the background. Like the audience was told to clap exactly on cue or they wouldn't get paid. It’s not quite as polished as some other films from that era, like Postal Inspector, but it has more soul, I guess.

I found myself wondering if any of these people actually made it. Most of them probably just went back to their day jobs after the cameras stopped rolling. That’s kind of the beauty of it, though. Just a bunch of folks trying to be big.

Don't expect a deep story or any real cinematic stakes here. It’s just a snapshot. Sometimes that’s enough to keep you watching for ten minutes while you drink your coffee. ☕

Little things I noticed:

• Benny Rubin’s suit looks like it cost more than the entire production budget.
• The contralto singer looks absolutely terrified the second the music stops.
• There’s a weird shadow on the curtain in the third act that never gets explained.
• The audio crackles in a way that’s actually kind of charming.

It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s definitely not boring. If you need a break from heavy dramas, this is a weirdly fun palate cleanser.