DbcultAccessing Vault...
5.1/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.1/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. You Don't Know the Half of It remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Alright, so look, if you’re hoping for some lost classic that’ll blow your mind, You Don't Know the Half of It probably isn't it. But for folks who dig into the *really* deep cuts of old-school comedy, or maybe just want to see what Mae West impersonation looked like back then, it’s worth a look. Everyone else? You might find it a bit… slow. 🤷♀️
The whole thing hinges on this comedic team, Ann and Jay. Ann, played by Ann Butler, is clearly going for that Mae West vibe. The slinky dresses, the raised eyebrow, the suggestive purr. You can tell she’s really putting in the effort, every single line. Sometimes it works, sometimes it feels a little like watching someone *really* concentrate on being seductive.
Jay Brennan is her straight man. He mostly just stands there, often looking a bit bewildered, which honestly is half the fun. His expressions are often priceless, like he’s just barely holding it together while Ann does her thing. He's the grounding force, the one who lets Ann fly — or sometimes, crash.
There’s a bit in the middle where Ann is trying to explain something, but she keeps getting distracted by her own jokes. Jay keeps trying to get a word in edgewise. He’ll open his mouth, she’ll drop a saucy line, and he just… closes it again, a little sigh escaping him. That exchange felt pretty real, like a bickering couple more than a polished act.
The pacing, though. Man, some of these gags just hang there. Like they’re waiting for an audience to burst into laughter, and you can almost feel the silence in your own living room. One particular sketch, involving a misunderstanding about a lost pet, just keeps going. And going. It’s not terrible, but it starts to feel less like a punchline and more like a gentle suggestion of one.
What really stuck with me was Ann’s costume changes. Every scene, a new outfit. Each one more elaborate, more feathered, more… *Ann*. It's clear a lot of thought went into making her the visual centerpiece, even when the dialogue was just okay. There’s one feathered boa that must have weighed a ton.
And Jay? He just gets more exasperated as the film rolls on. You can see it in his shoulders. He starts off trying to be helpful, then just devolves into this weary acceptance. It’s subtle, but it's there. That slow burn of frustration is probably the most relatable part of the whole movie.
The humor is definitely of its time. Some jokes probably killed back then. Now? They feel a little… quaint. You almost feel a bit guilty not laughing, like you’re missing the point. But then Ann will do a little flick of her wrist or a knowing glance at the camera, and you get a tiny spark. A little glimpse of why this act existed.
It’s not a film you’ll talk about for ages. But for an afternoon when you’re just puttering around, and you want something incredibly low-stakes, it has a certain charm. It’s like finding an old photo album – a bit faded, some smiles feel forced, but there's a story in there if you look close enough.
IMDb 5.2
1928
Community
Log in to comment.
