Hollywood Handicap

While I was not originally going to watch this musical short since I usually hate musical shorts, I decided to see it when I saw that it was directed by none other than Buster Keaton!! It was obvious looking at Keaton's career that MGM had absolutely no idea how to use his many talents. Starting in the sound era, MGM did practically everything they could to unintentionally waste his talents. The first was pairing the visual comic with the loud, brash and pretty obnoxious Jimmy Durante. Their styles had absolutely nothing in common and Keaton just looked lost in the films--and worst of all, they weren't funny. It was so bad that by the late 1930s, he all but disappeared from the screen except in bit roles. MGM didn't know what to do with this contracted player, so they assigned him to direct some shorts. And the short, overall, is good and achieves what it intended--a short and amiable musical interlude before or between features. However, fans looking for a short that transcends this limited goal (such as Keaton's silent shorts) will be disappointed.

In addition, the film is in some ways uncomfortable to watch here in the 21st century and is an important history lesson. The singing group in the film is made up of some talented Black men who, at times, act pretty stereotypical for the time period. Blacks were not often seen in mainstream films of the era, but when they did they were usually servants or child-like "boys" who could sing and dance. The singing is excellent and catchy, but you can't help but feel that the film is patronizing and these men are allowed to act within very prescribed limits--the characters can't have depth or anguish--they must enjoy being exactly who they are and nothing more.

This short isn't quite as good as a previous one I saw featuring the band entitled "STREAMLINE SWING", but it's still an interesting little curio. The men in the band work at the race track. Because of their hard work and decency, the owner of a race horse gives them his prized horse! They envision great wealth, but the plot doesn't exactly work out as they expected! Along the way, there's a lot of decent singing and energy. These men were talented--it's just a darn shame the only films they were offered were so very limited and stereotypical.

Buster Keaton directed this short subject which offers a glimpse of Hollywood's elite at Santa Anita racetrack in 1938. The plot has a group of black stable-boys who also form a sing band on the spot because they've hocked their instruments. Hocked it so they can buy a horse and race him in the prestigious Hollywood Handicap.

There are a host of movie luminaries in the clubhouse and the biggest laugh I got was Warner Baxter being described as a 'horseman'. According to Frank Capra's memoirs, he describes Baxter as being deathly afraid of horses which is why he remade Broadway Bill as Riding High with Bing Crosby in the lead. Noted racing fan and race horse owner Bing is also in the crowd and he's got an entry in the handicap. Oliver Hardy who was also in Riding High was looking a bit shrewder than the goof who got taken by William Demarest and Raymond Walburn in that film.

A 'sing band' and their were a few back in the day is one where the members of the group could do imitations of musical instruments. Speaking of Bing Crosby he featured one in Double Or Nothing and the Mills Brothers were also known for doing that as well as providing some of the best close harmony around.

A most enjoyable short subject from MGM.

Hollywood Handicap (1938)

** (out of 4)

Buster Keaton directed this MGM short, which is basically just an excuse to see various stars including Mickey Rooney, Al Jolson, Dorothy Lamour, Bing Crosby, Edmund Lowe, Warner Baxter, Oliver Hardy and various others. It's rather sad to think that directing these short films was the only way MGM could use Keaton. I'm curious if they ever thought about letting him act in his shorts but either way this is a pretty boring film that's poorly directed.

You can view this film on disc 3 of Warner's The Jazz Singer Collection.

I love Buster Keaton! Whether he starring in the movie or directing it.

Directing shorts like this one was a sad way for Buster Keaton to make a living or even to keep busy. At least he was working, some might say. Still, `Hollywood Handicap' will not be remembered for having been helmed by the comic genius. It's safe to say it will never be remembered at all and so it should be.

The very thin plot is a good enough excuse to display the vocal talents of The Original Sing Band, but it's unfortunate they don't get to perform better songs than this atrocious 'Barbecue Ribs' number. The `powerful idea' running gags wear thin really fast, even for a short.

The so-called galaxy of stars is but a few glimpses of famous faces at the races accompanied by an uninspired narration filled with bad puns that fall more flat today than they probably did then. More of the great instrument-like vocals by The Original Sing Band and less stars would have been better, but Hollywood wouldn't have done it in the first place without throwing in its star attractions now would it.