Some Shimmiers

Plot

Eddie Lyons plays a young man whose girlfriend announces her engagement to her friends at a party. To celebrate, she plans a 'slumming party' - an excursion to lower-class neighborhoods that was a trendy activity among the wealthy in the 1920s. Eddie strongly disapproves of this plan, considering it inappropriate and dangerous, but is overruled by the enthusiastic group. Compelled to join the excursion against his better judgment, Eddie finds himself dragged along on what becomes a chaotic adventure filled with misunderstandings, comic mishaps, and encounters with colorful characters from the city's underbelly. The evening spirals into a series of comedic situations as the privileged youths discover that their romanticized notion of slumming bears little resemblance to reality.

Historical Background

Some Shimmiers was released in 1920, a pivotal year in American history and cinema. The country was emerging from World War I and entering the Roaring Twenties, a period of dramatic social change and economic prosperity. The film reflects the era's fascination with jazz culture, youth rebellion, and the blurring of class boundaries. Hollywood was transitioning from the chaotic early days of filmmaking to the studio system that would dominate for decades. Silent comedy was at its peak, with stars like Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd defining the genre. The practice of 'slumming' depicted in the film was a real social trend of the time, reflecting both the era's social curiosity and its class prejudices.

Making Of

Some Shimmiers was created during a period when short comedy films were the bread and butter of Hollywood studios. Eddie Lyons, who both directed and starred in the film, was part of the transition from Mack Sennett-style slapstick to more character-driven comedy. The production team took advantage of Los Angeles's varied architecture to create the contrast between the wealthy characters' homes and the working-class neighborhoods they visit. The film was likely shot in just a few days, as was typical for comedy shorts of this era. The cast and crew would have been experienced in the rapid production methods required for the lucrative short film market.

Visual Style

The cinematography of Some Shimmiers employed standard techniques for silent comedy shorts of 1920. The camera work was functional rather than artistic, focusing on clearly capturing the action and facial expressions crucial to silent comedy. The film likely used static camera positions for most scenes, with occasional tracking shots to follow the characters' movements. Lighting was designed to create clear contrast between the wealthy characters' bright, spacious environments and the darker, more cramped settings of the 'slum' areas. The visual style emphasized clarity over artistry, ensuring that audiences could follow the physical comedy and read the intertitles easily.

Innovations

Some Shimmiers did not introduce significant technical innovations but employed the standard filmmaking techniques of 1920. The film was shot on 35mm black and white film stock typical of the era. The production utilized natural lighting where possible and artificial lighting when necessary, following the developing practices of Hollywood cinematography. The editing followed the continuity style that was becoming standard in American cinema, with clear shot-reverse-shot patterns for dialogue scenes and dynamic cutting for action sequences. The film's technical aspects were competent but not groundbreaking, representing the solid craftsmanship of mainstream Hollywood production rather than experimental techniques.

Music

As a silent film, Some Shimmiers would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its theatrical run. The typical score would have been provided by a theater organist or small orchestra, using popular songs and classical pieces appropriate to the mood of each scene. Upbeat, jaunty music would have accompanied the party scenes, while more dramatic or mysterious music would have underscored the slumming adventure. Theaters often used cue sheets provided by the studio, which suggested appropriate musical selections for different moments in the film. No original score survives, as the music was improvised or selected by individual theater musicians.

Memorable Scenes

• The chaotic slumming party where the wealthy characters encounter reality, The moment Eddie reluctantly agrees to join the expedition, The series of misunderstandings that occur when the group tries to interact with working-class residents

What Critics Said

Contemporary reviews of Some Shimmiers were generally positive, with trade publications like Variety and Motion Picture News noting its amusing situations and competent performances. Critics of the time appreciated the film's light touch with social commentary and the chemistry between Lyons and Moran. Modern critical assessment is limited due to the film's rarity, but film historians who have seen it describe it as a typical but well-executed example of the comedy short format of its era. The film is generally regarded as a minor but interesting work that reflects the transition from broad slapstick to more sophisticated comedy.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences in 1920 reportedly enjoyed Some Shimmiers for its relatable characters and humorous situations. The film's theme of class differences resonated with theater-goers of various backgrounds, and the comedic mishaps during the slumming party provided the kind of visual humor that silent film audiences craved. The chemistry between Eddie Lyons and Lee Moran was a particular draw for regular moviegoers who followed their series of films. Like most comedy shorts of the period, it was designed to be part of a varied program that included newsreels, a feature film, and other shorts.

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