The Nuisance (1933) Review - Lee Tracy is a caffeinated jerk and I love it

If you like movies where the main character is a total scumbag but somehow stays likable, you should definitely watch The Nuisance today. 🍿

It is perfect for anyone who misses the days when movies were only 80 minutes long and everyone talked like they were trying to win a race. If you need a movie with a clear moral compass or a hero who follows the law, you will probably hate this one.

Lee Tracy plays Joe Phaneuf, and honestly, the guy is like a human espresso shot. He is an ambulance chaser who doesn't just wait for accidents; he basically invents them.

The movie opens with him basically coaching people on how to fall down properly. It is kind of hilarious how little he cares about the truth. 😂

There is this one guy, played by Charles Butterworth, who is Joe's professional "victim." His job is to get hit by things or trip over stuff so Joe can sue someone.

Butterworth has this face that looks like a sad turtle. It makes the whole scam feel way funnier than it should be.

The streetcar company is tired of Joe taking their money, so they hire a girl named Dorothy to set him up. Madge Evans plays her, and she’s fine, though she mostly just has to look worried while Joe talks at her at 100 miles per hour.

The way Joe tries to woo her is pure chaos. He isn't romantic in a normal way; he’s just loud and persistent until she gives in.

I noticed that in the courtroom scenes, the extras in the back look like they are bored out of their minds. One guy in the third row is literally just staring at the ceiling for a solid ten seconds while Joe is yelling. 🙄

The pacing is a bit weird because it feels like a slapstick comedy for the first half. Then, suddenly, it tries to be a serious drama about loyalty and prison.

It doesn't quite work, but Lee Tracy’s energy keeps it from falling apart. He has this habit of pointing his finger at everyone like it's a loaded gun.

Frank Morgan shows up as a drunk doctor who helps Joe with his fake medical reports. It is weird seeing the guy from the Wizard of Oz playing a guy who probably lost his medical license years ago. 🍺

There is a scene where they are in a hospital, and the lighting is really harsh. It makes everyone look like they haven't slept in three days, which honestly fits the vibe of the movie.

Some of the dialogue is so fast I had to rewind a couple of times to catch the jokes. It reminded me a bit of the energy in Top Speed, but with more crime.

The streetcar company boss is such a classic movie villain. He spends most of his time behind a giant desk looking angry while smoking a cigar that is way too big for his face.

I love how shabby everything looks. The offices are cramped, the streets look like movie sets, and everyone’s suits look like they need a good steam.

It feels very "Pre-Code," which basically means the characters get away with a lot of stuff that wouldn't be allowed a few years later. Joe is definitely a criminal, but the movie thinks he’s a hoot.

The romance between Joe and Dorothy feels a bit rushed, like they realized they only had ten minutes left and needed to fall in love. She goes from trying to ruin his life to wanting to save him pretty fast.

There is a weird subplot about Joe’s brother that feels like it belonged in a different movie. It slows things down right when the energy should be peaking.

Also, the sound quality in the outdoor scenes is kind of crunchy. You can hear the hiss of the old recording equipment, but I kind of like that. 🎞️

It makes it feel more like a real artifact from 1933. It isn't polished like The Sheik, but it has more bite.

One thing that really bothered me was a reaction shot of a dog during a chase scene. The dog looks completely confused about why all these grown men are running around.

The ending is a bit of a mess, to be honest. It tries to tie everything up with a big emotional speech, but Joe is still a shyster at heart.

I don't think he really learns a lesson. And that is probably why the movie is actually good.

If he became a good guy at the end, it would have been boring. Instead, he’s just the same fast-talking nuisance he was at the start.

Check it out if you want to see how much fun a "bad" lawyer can be. It's a lot better than most of the stuff you see on TV late at night. 📺

Things I noticed:

• Lee Tracy never seems to blink when he is talking. It’s a bit scary.
• The streetcar accident at the start looks surprisingly dangerous for a 1933 budget.
• Charles Butterworth’s hat is at least two sizes too small.
• The way they handle the "investigation" is basically just people eavesdropping behind thin doors.

It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s fun. Sometimes that is all you really need on a Tuesday night.