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6/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Waltzing Around remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Waltzing Around is definitely one of those old-school shorts. You pull it up when you just need a quick chuckle. If you're into slapstick from the early sound era, think Laurel and Hardy or even The Three Stooges. You'll probably dig Bobby Clark and Paul McCullough’s antics here. But honestly, if physical comedy isn't your jam, or you need intricate plots, this one’s probably not for you. 🤷♀️
The whole setup is pretty simple. Clark and McCullough, our two zany transients, need work. They find it as vendors at a sports arena. Selling hot dogs and stuff, you know. Right away, you get their vibe. McCullough is the somewhat straight man, trying to keep things on track. Clark? He’s the complete wild card. That man has a spark of pure chaotic energy.
One specific moment really stuck with me. Clark, just trying to hawk his wares, somehow manages to knock out one of the main boxers. It’s so accidental. So completely dumb. But it lands perfectly. The way his arm just flails. 😂
Of course, this means Clark has to step in for the injured fighter. And McCullough? He becomes the referee. This is when things really kick into high gear. The boxing scenes are less about actual punches. More about exaggerated physical comedy. The hits look cartoonish. The falls? Totally over the top.
There's this great bit where Clark is just flailing around. He’s trying his best to avoid getting hit. Bumping into the ropes, almost tumbling out of the ring. They clearly weren’t aiming for realism. Not even a tiny bit. The crowd reactions are pretty funny, too. They look like they’re enjoying the chaos as much as we are. Or maybe they're just good extras; hard to tell with films from this long ago.
McCullough’s refereeing is gold, by the way. He tries to be serious. But Clark’s antics just pull him right into the absurd. At one point, he's practically wrestling Clark. Just trying to get him to follow the rules. Poor guy.
The pacing moves quick. Which is good for a short film, really. It doesn't overstay its welcome. They get in, do their thing, and get out. No big emotional arc. No deep character development. Just pure, unadulterated silliness. And honestly, it works.
You can almost tell they improvised a lot. Some of the timing feels a little loose, yeah. But that's part of its charm. It feels authentic. Like watching a live stage performance, in a way.
There’s a scene where Clark is getting walloped. He makes these wild faces. His eyes bulge out. His hair gets all messy. It is not subtle. But it absolutely delivers for a laugh. And Ivan Linow, the opposing boxer, he plays it totally straight. This makes Clark’s goofiness stand out even more. Linow’s just trying to have a
IMDb 8.1
1915
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