What Next? (1928) - A messy but fun silent comedy that actually works

You should definitely watch this today if you have an hour to kill and like seeing people fall over furniture. It is perfect for anyone who appreciates the stressed out energy of 1920s slapstick.

If you hate black and white movies or think physical comedy is just for kids, you will probably find it pretty annoying. I honestly had a blast though.

Walter Forde is the main guy and he has this face like a startled rabbit. He plays a salesman who just wants to get through the day, but then he buys this candlestick.

Enter the "mad collector." This guy looks like he has not slept in about four years and he wants that candlestick bad.

The whole thing feels a bit like George the Winner but with more things getting broken. It is not as polished as a Buster Keaton movie, but that is why I liked it.

There is a scene where Forde is trying to look casual while hiding and he just looks like he’s vibrating. The way he tries to blend into the background is hilarious because he is terrible at it. 😂

I noticed the sets look really thin. In one shot, you can see a curtain move and it looks like the whole wall is about to tip over.

It adds to the charm, really. It feels like a group of friends just decided to make a movie in a big house over a weekend.

The collector, played by Douglas Payne, is doing alot with his eyes. He stares so hard I thought the candlestick might actually melt.

I watched this right after Nuori luotsi and the vibe shift was totally crazy. Going from a serious drama to this was exactly what I needed.

One gag involves a ladder and a bucket. You know exactly what is going to happen about three minutes before it happens.

He climbs up, he wobbles, he looks at the camera. And yet, I still laughed when the water hit him. 🪣

The pacing is a bit weird in the middle. It feels like they had a great opening and a great ending, but weren't sure how to connect them.

So they just added more chasing. Which is fine by me, honestly.

It’s much lighter than something like A Scandal in Bohemia. No thinking required here.

I did notice a weird moment where a cat walks across the back of the set. I am 90% sure that cat was not supposed to be in the movie.

The title cards are a bit wordy sometimes. You find yourself waiting for the text to go away so you can see more chaotic running.

The ending comes out of nowhere. It just sort of... stops? Like they ran out of money or the sun went down and they all went home.

But for a 1928 flick, it holds up better than some of the stuff I've seen recently. It doesn't try to be art, it just tries to be funny.

If you see a copy of this anywhere, give it a go. It’s a nice break from movies that try too hard to mean something. 📽️