The Varsity Drag (1928) Review: Big Sweaters and Silent Chaos

Is The Varsity Drag worth your time today? If you like old silent movies where everyone looks like they just drank ten cups of coffee, then yes.

But if you hate the trope of the 'college athlete hero' who is basically perfect at everything, you will probably find it a bit annoying. It is very much a product of its time. 🏈

I think this was part of a series called 'The Collegians' which were short films about life at a fictional university. George J. Lewis is the star here, and he has this very earnest face that makes you want to pat him on the head.

The plot is thin, even for 1928. There is a girl, a game, and some social pressure. It is not exactly The New Babylon in terms of artistic weight, but it doesn't try to be.

One thing I noticed immediately is the knitwear. Everyone is wearing these massive, chunky sweaters that look incredibly itchy.

The girl in the movie is Dorothy Gulliver. She has these big, expressive eyes that do most of the heavy lifting when the plot slows down. She’s great.

There is this one scene in a locker room that goes on a bit too long. You can tell the director really liked the way the light hit the lockers, but the actors are just sort of standing there. It gets awkward after a while.

The 'drag' in the title refers to a dance, by the way. Not what most people think of when they hear that word today. 💃

It’s a very fast-paced dance. I tried to imagine doing it myself and I think I would break an ankle within thirty seconds. It’s all legs and arms flying everywhere.

Speaking of energy, the pacing is weird. It starts off at a 10, drops to a 2 during the 'romance' bits, and then jumps back to a 10 for the finale.

It reminds me a bit of Flapper Fever in how it tries so hard to be 'hip' for the youth of the 1920s. You can almost feel the movie trying to convince you that college is just one big party.

Stuff I scribbled down while watching:

• The way George J. Lewis runs is actually kind of impressive.
• There is a dog in one scene that looks very bored with the whole production. 🐶
• The title cards are very 'loud' with their exclamations.
• I’m pretty sure one of the extras in the crowd is wearing his hat backwards just to look cool.

There is a moment where Eddie Phillips (the rival) gives a look to the camera that is so villainous it becomes funny. Like, we get it, you’re the bad guy. No need to twirl a mustache that isn't there.

The football scenes are actually shot pretty well. They feel more real than some of the stuff you see in Chivalrous Charley.

I did find myself checking my phone once or twice during the middle part. The 'misunderstanding' between the lead couple is very predictable. Like, just talk to each other for five seconds and the movie would be over.

But then again, we don't watch these for the complex writing. We watch them for the vibe. And the vibe here is 100% Jazz Age energy.

I think I liked A Night Out a little bit better because it felt more grounded. The Varsity Drag is a bit of a cartoon sometimes.

The ending is exactly what you think it is. I won't spoil it, but if you've seen one sports movie, you've seen this one. 🏆

Still, there is something charming about how much they cared about these silly stories back then. The film quality of the version I saw was a bit grainy, which actually added to the feeling of it being a time capsule.

One reaction shot of a professor lingers so long it becomes funny. He just stares. And stares. I think the editor forgot to cut away.

Is it a masterpiece? No. Is it a fun way to spend an hour if you like black and white chaos? Absolutely.

It’s much more lively than something like The Night Workers which can be a bit of a slog. This one just zips along until it hits the finish line.

If you enjoy seeing how people a hundred years ago thought 'cool' college kids acted, give it a look. Just don't expect a deep message about the human condition or anything. It's just a movie about a guy in a big sweater.

The music in the background—at least in the copy I had—was this frantic piano that never seemed to stop. It made my heart rate go up for no reason. 🎹

Overall, I'd say it's a solid 6/10. It’s fine. It’s fine. It’s not The Cocoanuts level of comedy, but it has its own weird charm.

I wonder if people back then actually did that dance in real life. It looks exhausting. I'm going to go take a nap just thinking about it.