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4.7/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 4.7/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The Freshman's Goat remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Okay, so The Freshman's Goat? Look, if you’re not already knee-deep in early 20th-century college hijinks, you can probably skip this one. But for those of us who get a real kick out of truly oddball cinema history, or just want to see a bunch of old-timey cars *really* go at it, there’s a strange, undeniable charm here. Anyone expecting deep character studies or a coherent plot will probably just scratch their head and wander off.
The plot is… well, it’s exactly what the title says. Freshmen and sophomores, a goat, then a car race to settle it. It’s wild how straightforward they make something so utterly bonkers seem. The goat, by the way, is a pretty chill dude through all this. Just kind of *there*, you know? 🐐
The initial brawl? More like a lively scrum, honestly. Lots of flailing arms and shouting, very much like a stage play without the microphones. But it sets the tone. These kids are serious about this goat.
You almost believe it. Eddie Barry, as one of the main freshmen, has this earnestness about him. He’s trying so hard to look serious while defending a farm animal. It’s endearing, really.
Marion Shockley, playing the supposed love interest, doesn’t get a whole lot to do. Mostly just looking concerned or happy, depending on who’s winning. Her screen time feels a bit... tacked on.
Then comes the auto race. This is where the movie really tries to shine. You get some genuine thrills seeing these old jalopies tear up the dirt track. There’s a particular shot where one car almost wipes out into a ditch, and for a split second, you forget it’s a century-old movie. It’s actually pretty exciting, even if the editing feels a bit… jumpy.
You can tell this was made on a shoestring budget. The 'college campus' looks more like a couple of brick buildings and a lot of open field. But honestly, it adds to the charm. It's not trying to be grand; it’s just trying to tell its weird little story.
The pacing, for such an old film, actually feels pretty quick. They don’t linger too long on anything except maybe the cars. Which is fine, that’s what we’re here for, right?
It’s not a masterpiece, not by a long shot. But for a movie called The Freshman's Goat, it absolutely delivers on the premise. It’s a curious snapshot of early screen comedy, and sometimes, that’s enough. Just don't go in expecting Casablanca, okay? 😂
IMDb —
1926
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