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Cult Review
Senior Film Conservator
If you're into silent films, or just curious about what folks watched back in 1929, then The Broadway Hoofer is probably worth a peek. It’s a pretty straightforward, charming little tale that doesn’t ask too much of you. If you need explosions or deep, meaningful dialogue, you’ll definitely hate it. But for a simple, sweet escape, it’s got a certain something.
The whole setup starts with Adele, a big Broadway star, who just wants a quiet vacation. Somehow, she ends up auditioning for a small-time burlesque show in the country as a total prank. I mean, who does that? 😂
Bobby, the guy running this 'Gay Girlies Burlesque' show, is just blown away by her moves. He has no idea who she is, obviously. He gives her a job, then makes her a featured dancer, and then, you know, falls for her. It all moves pretty fast, as these old films often do.
Marie Saxon as Adele is quite graceful. You can tell she really knew her way around a dance floor, even without sound. Her expressions are usually bright and full of life, which helps carry the silent parts.
Then Adele’s maid, Jane, played by Louise Fazenda, spills the beans. Fazenda, always a treat, brings this sort of earthy, no-nonsense vibe. She’s not on screen a ton, but she makes her moments count. It's funny how a maid character can sometimes steal a scene.
Bobby, naturally, feels totally duped. He fires Adele right then and there. It’s a bit over-the-top, his anger, but you get it. This whole time he thought he’d discovered someone, only to find out she was just playing a game.
The middle bit is what you’d expect. Adele’s back on Broadway, probably feeling a bit sad. Bobby is trying to make it big in New York with his show. The pacing here drags a little, you’re just waiting for them to cross paths again.
And they do, of course. Bobby’s on stage, at a nightclub, and he spots Adele in the audience. He gets so flustered he forgets his routine! This is where Adele steps in, hops onto the stage, and saves the day by doing one of their old burlesque numbers with him. It's a nice moment, a real classic movie rescue.
He forgives her, they embrace. The typical Hollywood ending, right? They live happily ever after... and then the title card hits you with this:
...unless they had their money invested in the stock market.
Woah. That line just hangs there. Coming from a film made in 1929, it hits differently. It’s this sudden, dark little wink to the audience, a real jolt of reality. It's almost out of place, but in a good way. It reminds you this film was made right on the cusp of some very real, hard times.
That one line almost makes the whole movie for me. It pulls it out of being just another predictable romance. It feels like a little secret shared between the filmmakers and the audience, a sort of grim humor.
So, yeah, The Broadway Hoofer. It’s a fun, light silent film with some good dancing and a twist ending that's more about the era it was made in than the love story itself. Definitely worth it for that final, unexpected punch. 🎬
IMDb 6.1
1929
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