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4.9/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 4.9/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The Installment Collector remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
So, "The Installment Collector" is definitely one for the film history buffs, or maybe just a quick peek if you’re into really old, short films. If you're a film student trying to see how early comedy worked, sure, give it a shot. But if you’re hoping for belly laughs that land today, or anything like a story with actual depth, you’ll probably just scratch your head. It’s a curiosity, nothing more, really. 🧐
The whole thing plays out like a single sketch stretched to its breaking point. We’ve got this editor, Fred (Fred Allen), minding his own business, chatting with a guy who wants to place an ad. Pretty normal, right? Then a bill collector shows up, and things get… undressed.
This collector, played by Alonzo Price, is really serious about his job. He demands payment for Fred’s coat and vest, which Fred bought on installment. No money? No clothes. So, Fred just takes them off. Right there in the office. It’s kind of funny, but also feels a bit… exaggerated, even for a silent film.
You think that’s it? Nope. The collector comes back. For the *pants*. The very pants Fred is wearing. The guy must really need that money, huh? Fred, again, has no cash. So, off come the trousers. He disappears behind a screen for a second, then pops out. And here’s the kicker: he’s holding an open umbrella to hide his… well, his underwear, I guess. It’s a sight.
That umbrella moment, it’s the only part that really sticks. The sheer absurdity of it. Like, he’s totally fine with stripping down to his undies in his office, but then needs an umbrella for modesty? It’s a strange logic. 🤔
The whole interaction between Fred and the collector is pretty much just them gesturing wildly. Fred’s expressions are good, you can tell he’s annoyed but also resigned. Alonzo Price, as the collector, he’s got this really intense stare, like he’s got rent due himself.
There’s not much else to it. No big message. No deep themes. It's a quick gag, a visual joke about being so broke you can't even keep your clothes. It’s definitely *not* a "visually stunning cinematic experience" or "a profound exploration of the human condition." It's just a guy losing his clothes. 😅
Honestly, it feels less like a movie and more like a vaudeville bit caught on film. The pacing is quick because there’s so little to actually show. The camera just kind of sits there.
If you’ve seen other early short films, like maybe a bit of Studies in Movement for a totally different vibe, or even something with a slightly more complex narrative like The Eleventh Hour, you’ll notice how *simple* this one is. It’s bare bones storytelling, a single idea played out for a quick laugh. And maybe a little bit of shock for audiences back then. People probably didn't expect to see a man in his underwear on screen! 😲
It’s interesting to see how comedy evolved. This is very much of its time. You can almost feel the filmmakers trying to figure out what was funny without dialogue. The exaggerated actions, the slow build-up to the punchline (or lack thereof, depending on your taste). It works on a very basic level.
I wouldn’t recommend planning your Friday night around it. But if you stumble upon it, it’s a tiny window into a very different kind of moviemaking. Maybe watch it with friends and just marvel at the umbrella. That’s the real star, honestly. ☔
IMDb 5.5
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