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5.9/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.9/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The Real McCoy remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Alright, so if you’re someone who absolutely needs crisp dialogue and a plot you can write a dissertation about, then The Real McCoy probably isn't for you. But! If you’ve got a soft spot for silent era antics, especially the kind Charley Chase excelled at, then yeah, give this one a look. It’s a short, sweet piece of old-school slapstick that’s surprisingly charming in its goofy simplicity. Think of it as a nice little snack for your classic comedy cravings. 🎬
The whole setup is pretty straightforward: Charley wants a girl. A country girl, to be precise. And he figures, what better way to impress her than to pretend he’s one of them? So he puts on his best *rube* act. It’s all about the disguise, really. The ill-fitting clothes, the way he tries to slouch and shuffle. You can almost feel the film trying to convince you this moment matters.
Charley Chase, bless his heart, he’s always got this kind of earnest, slightly confused look about him, even when he’s being a cad. Here, he’s trying so hard to play the part of a hillbilly, but you can see the city slicker poking through. It’s never quite convincing, and that’s part of the fun. He’s just a fella trying his best.
The girl he’s after, played by Thelma Todd, is just delightful. She’s got this sparkle, even in black and white. You can see why Charley’s smitten. Her reactions to his clumsy attempts at country living are really what sell a lot of the jokes. She’s not just a pretty face; she’s got some good comedic timing herself. Like that one scene where he tries to milk a cow? Her face, oh man. 😂
There’s a moment, I think it’s pretty early on, where Charley tries to eat something with his fingers, all rough and ready, and then immediately looks around to see if anyone noticed his lack of manners. It’s a tiny beat, but it perfectly sums up his whole schtick in this movie. He’s trying to be someone he’s not, and failing beautifully.
The pacing, as you’d expect from a silent short, zips along pretty quick. No time for deep character development here, just straight to the gags. You get a lot of physical comedy, some running around, a few falls. It’s all very lighthearted. The crowd scenes have this oddly empty feeling, like half the extras wandered off for a snack.
One particular gag sticks with me: Charley getting tangled in some farm equipment. It’s a classic, sure, but his flailing limbs and wide-eyed panic? *Pure gold*. The way he tries to disentangle himself, only to get more ensnared, just goes on long enough to be genuinely funny without overstaying its welcome. It's not groundbreaking, but it works.
There's also a surprisingly long reaction shot from one of the older townsfolk watching Charley make a fool of himself. It lingers so long it becomes funny. You just know that guy's seen it all.
It’s not a film that’s going to change your life or anything. It's a quick, pleasant diversion. Sometimes, that’s all you need. It gets noticeably better once it stops taking itself seriously, which for a silent comedy, is pretty much from the start. Just enjoy Charley doing his thing.
If you're into the filmography of Charley Chase, or just curious about what silent comedies were like beyond Chaplin and Keaton, this is a solid entry. It's a testament to how much comedic mileage you can get out of a simple premise and a very expressive face. And Thelma Todd. She really shines here. ✨
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