Item: Top Flat
Rating: 6.6
Author: Archivist John

Is this thing worth your time?

Honestly, it depends on how much you love 1930s slapstick. If you get a kick out of watching people stumble through fancy rooms while everything breaks, you’ll have a grand time. If you’re looking for a tight script or anything resembling logic, you’re going to hate this. It’s basically just a series of loud noises and people falling down.

Patsy Kelly is the star here, and she’s got that specific, sharp energy that makes the whole thing move. She’s playing off Thelma Todd, and there’s a genuine friction between them that feels more real than the actual jokes. Most of the comedy is just physical stuff—lots of slamming doors and people hiding in places they shouldn't be.

There is this one moment where they try to hide a guest, and the timing is just… off. It’s not necessarily bad, it’s just awkward. It feels like they were filming it and the director just decided, 'Yeah, that’s good enough, let’s grab lunch.'

I couldn't help but think about how these shorts were churned out back then. It’s not like The Water Plug where the chaos feels earned. Here, it feels like they just threw the cast into a room and yelled 'Go!'

Some random observations:

The penthouse set looks like it’s made of cardboard and hope.
The way they handle the 'fancy' dinner scene is genuinely bizarre.
I’m pretty sure one of the extras in the background is just waiting for his paycheck.
There is a distinct lack of actual maids, which is probably the point, but still.

It’s not trying to be high art, and thank god for that. It’s just a weird, frantic little artifact. If you’ve ever seen Home Talent, you know the vibe—it’s all about the performance, not the story. The pacing feels like it was edited with a chainsaw, jumping from one disaster to the next without catching its breath.

It’s fine for a quick watch if you’re bored. Just don’t expect to remember much about it an hour later. Sometimes the best movies are the ones that don't try to change your life. 🤷‍♂️