Wot a Night: A Speedy, Silly Old Cab Chase

Alright, so 'Wot a Night'. If you're looking for something quick, maybe a little goofy, and a real peek into *early* cinema, this is it. It’s definitely worth a watch for film buffs or anyone curious how they did action back then. But if you need deep plots or modern pacing, you'll probably find it a bit… brief. 😅

The premise? It’s Wot a Night, literally. Two dudes just don't want to pay their cab fare. That’s the entire spark. They hop out, and the taxi driver, played by John Foster, is just *not* having it. He's right out of his car and after them, no questions asked.

The whole film is basically this chase. They run down a street, then another. It’s not complex, you know? Just pure, old-fashioned foot pursuit.

You can tell Foster, the cabbie, is pretty fed up. His face really sells the exasperation. Like, this isn't just about the money; it's about the principle of the thing. 😠

And the passengers, Vernon Stallings being one, they don’t exactly try to be subtle. They just full-on sprint. Looking over their shoulders quite a bit, of course. It’s all very physical, very immediate.

One scene, I think, they’re just tearing down a pretty typical-looking street. It feels like they just kept running and running, the camera trying its best to keep up. You can almost feel the cameraman huffing a bit.

The way they used the camera to show movement is interesting. It's simple, a bit jerky maybe. Not like the smooth tracking shots we get today, but it *works* for the vibe. It makes you feel like you're right there, trying to catch these guys.

The acting is exactly what you’d expect from this era. Big, broad gestures. Over-the-top reactions. Foster’s chase is just relentless, it’s impressive how much energy he puts into it.

It's fascinating to see how they handled what little 'special effects' they needed. Mostly just people running very fast and the scenery whizzing by. Which is, honestly, kind of charming.

The ending comes quick. No big dramatic showdown or anything. It’s a very straightforward resolution to a very straightforward problem. No need for lengthy explanations when a good chase does the job.

Honestly, it’s a neat little piece of cinema history. No frills, just a chase. You can almost hear the piano music speeding up right along with their feet. 🎹

It's a reminder that sometimes, movies don't need a huge budget or a complex script. Just a simple idea and some energy. And a good pair of running shoes, apparently.

Don't go in expecting a profound statement on anything. It's just a guy chasing two other guys. And that's absolutely *fine*. It really is. Sometimes that's all you want, you know?

The street they run down, it looks a bit familiar from other early shorts. Wonder if they just had a few go-to spots that everyone filmed at? 🤔

The way the camera sometimes just *sticks* to the action, almost a bit shaky, feels so immediate. Not like the smooth stuff we get now, but it gives it a certain raw charm.

I liked how the cabbie, Foster, really sells his exasperation. You feel his annoyance, then his resolve. The whole thing lasts, what, maybe five minutes? It's *over* before you even settle in, which is probably for the best. It doesn’t overstay its welcome, which is a big plus for a film of this type.