"The Kid's Clever" (1929): A Charming, If Slow, Ride Through Silent Comedy

"The Kid's Clever," from way back in 1929, is one of those films you dig up if you're into silent movie history or just enjoy seeing how cinema figured things out. If you're looking for a quick, uncomplicated laugh with some genuinely clever mechanical bits, you might get a kick out of it. But if you need fast cuts and a story that doesn't feel like it’s taking its sweet time, you'll probably find it a bit of a snooze. It’s definitely *not* for the easily bored. 😴

The whole thing centers on Bugs Raymond, played by Glenn Tryon. He’s this tinkering genius who invents a car that just… goes. No gas needed. Imagine that in 1929! The idea itself is pretty neat, even if the movie never quite explains *how* it works, beyond some levers and a lot of frantic hand-waving from Bugs.

Tryon is quite something to watch. His expressions are pure silent film gold. There’s a scene early on where he’s trying to explain his invention, and his face just cycles through pride, frustration, then total bewilderment when people don’t get it. You can almost feel the movie trying to convince you this moment matters, and it mostly works because Tryon sells it. 👍

Of course, there’s a love story. Florence Turner plays the girl, and she’s sweet enough. Their courtship feels… simple, you know? Like, he invents a car, she smiles, they’re in love. It’s not deep, but it’s charming in a very old-fashioned way. There’s one bit where Bugs accidentally squirts her with oil, and her reaction is just a mild frown before she giggles. *So polite.*

The rival mechanic, he’s a piece of work. Lloyd Whitlock plays him as this mustache-twirling villain, exactly what you’d expect. His schemes to steal Bugs’ invention are so basic, but the movie commits to them fully. You see him lurking around corners, peeking through windows. It’s almost comical how obvious he is, but nobody seems to notice until it's too late. 🙄

What really sticks with me are the little mechanical gags. Bugs’ workshop is full of these Rube Goldberg-esque contraptions. One early scene shows him trying to make breakfast using a series of pulleys and levers. It goes wrong, naturally, and ends with toast flying across the room. It’s the kind of physical comedy that still lands, even without sound. The timing is surprisingly good there.

But man, some scenes just *drag*. There’s a sequence where Bugs is chasing the rival mechanic through a street carnival, and it just goes on about 20 seconds too long. The same gag, repeated, until the humor starts to drain right out of it. You keep thinking, "Okay, we get it, he's clumsy."

The car itself, the "fuel-less" wonder, is pretty basic looking. Just a regular old car. But the way Bugs drives it, with such confidence and joy, makes you believe it’s special. It’s the *acting* that sells the invention, not the special effects, which are, you know, 1929 special effects. A bit of smoke, a shaky camera for speed. Good enough.

I found myself noticing the crowd scenes. They have this oddly empty feeling sometimes, like half the extras wandered off for a snack. Or maybe that's just how crowded streets looked back then? Hard to tell. But it felt a bit sparse for a big event.

There's a really strange moment involving Stepin Fetchit. He has a small role, and his character’s reactions are… well, they’re of their time. It’s a brief appearance, but it definitely makes you pause and think about how different things were. It’s not a major part of the plot, more like a background detail that catches your eye. Like, *why was that even there*?

The ending is exactly what you'd expect from a silent comedy. Everything wraps up neatly. The bad guy gets his comeuppance, the good guy gets the girl and the riches. It’s satisfying in a simple, predictable way. No surprises here, which is fine sometimes. It’s a comfortable conclusion. 😊

Is it a masterpiece? Nah, definitely not. But it’s a peek into a very specific kind of filmmaking. It’s less about the grand narrative and more about the small moments, the physical gags, and Tryon’s goofy charm. If you've got an hour to spare and a soft spot for silent films, give it a shot. Otherwise, you can probably let this one just roll by. It's a nice curiosity, more than a must-see.

• The intertitles are pretty wordy sometimes. Like, *really* wordy.
• One shot of a dog looking confused lasts just a bit too long. Was that on purpose?
• The costumes are great, especially the hats! Everyone wore a hat. 🎩
• The sound design (or lack thereof) actually makes you focus more on the visual gags.
• There's a moment where Bugs almost crashes into a fruit stand, and the vendor's exasperated face is priceless.
• The villain’s car looks surprisingly fast for the era.

For more early cinema explorations, you might check out The Wheel or even Ramona if you want something a bit more dramatic from around the same time. Different vibe, but still that unique silent film feel. Both are pretty interesting in their own ways too.