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5.5/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.5/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. With Love and Kisses remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly? Only if you have a massive soft spot for mid-30s B-movies that feel like they were cobbled together in someone’s basement. If you’re looking for a tight, well-oiled musical, you will probably hate this. But if you like seeing people act like they’re in a high-stakes drama when they’re actually just singing about farm animals, then you might get a kick out of it.
Pinky Tomlin is doing a lot of heavy lifting here as our naive hero. He’s got this grin that stays plastered on his face even when he’s being absolutely fleeced by everyone around him. It’s almost impressive.
The whole conflict hinges on him selling a song for $200 because he owes his buddies some cash. It’s the kind of stakes that make you want to reach into the screen and shake some sense into him. The way the other characters just casually exploit him is… well, it’s a bit grim for a movie that tries so hard to be chipper.
There is a scene where a crooner basically salivates over the song like it’s a gold bar. It feels weirdly predatory, even for a light musical. The pacing here is genuinely bizarre; it slows to a crawl just when you want something to actually happen.
It’s not quite as polished as Kentucky Minstrels, which at least knew what it wanted to be. This one feels like it’s constantly apologizing for existing.
Sometimes you can feel the movie trying to convince you that this guy is a genius songwriter. But you never actually hear a song that blows you away. It’s all just sort of… pleasant filler.
Don't expect a masterpiece. Just expect a very loud, very confused group of people trying to make a buck in New York. It’s a relic, but maybe not one that needs a museum exhibit. 🤷♂️