The Bargain Hunt

Plot

The Smith Family embarks on an adventurous bargain hunting expedition at a chaotic warehouse sale, where their frugal ambitions lead to a series of comedic mishaps and misunderstandings. As they navigate through crowds of eager shoppers and compete for the best deals, their family dynamics are tested by the temptations of consumerism and the challenges of staying within budget. The situation escalates when their competitive spirit results in accidental property damage, mistaken identities, and increasingly absurd attempts to secure coveted items at rock-bottom prices. By the end of their shopping spree, the family learns valuable lessons about the true meaning of value and the importance of family unity over material possessions.

Historical Background

1928 was a pivotal year in cinema history, marking the end of the silent film era and the beginning of the sound revolution. Films like 'The Jazz Singer' (1927) had already demonstrated the commercial potential of sound, and studios were rapidly converting to sound production. 'The Bargain Hunt' was produced during this transitional period, representing the final flowering of silent comedy techniques. The late 1920s also saw unprecedented economic prosperity in America, with consumer culture reaching new heights. The film's focus on bargain hunting reflected the growing consumer consciousness of the era, though ironically this prosperity would end with the stock market crash of October 1929, just over a year after this film's release.

Making Of

The Smith Family series was created as Mack Sennett's answer to the popular family comedies being produced by other studios. Raymond McKee and Ruth Hiatt had previously worked together in various comedy shorts and were paired specifically for their natural chemistry. The bargain hunting premise was chosen because it allowed for physical comedy opportunities and relatable family situations. The warehouse set was constructed using discarded props and materials from other Sennett productions, making it both economical and authentic. Child actors, including Mary Ann Jackson, were given special attention during filming to ensure their safety during the chaotic shopping scenes. The film was completed in just three days of shooting, typical for comedy shorts of the era, with minimal rehearsals as the cast was already familiar with their characters from previous installments.

Visual Style

The cinematography by Glen Gano employed standard silent comedy techniques with medium shots for establishing scenes and closer shots for comedic reactions. The camera work was functional rather than artistic, focusing on clearly capturing the physical comedy and facial expressions of the actors. The warehouse sale sequences utilized wider angles to show the chaos of the crowds, with careful blocking to ensure the main action remained visible. The lighting was typical of studio productions of the era, bright and even to compensate for the less sensitive film stock available.

Innovations

The film did not feature any significant technical innovations, as it was produced using standard silent film technology of the late 1920s. The production utilized existing studio facilities and conventional equipment. The most notable technical aspect was the efficient use of space and resources in creating the warehouse set, demonstrating the economic production methods that had been refined by comedy short producers over the previous decade.

Music

As a silent film, 'The Bargain Hunt' would have been accompanied by live musical accompaniment in theaters, typically piano or organ. The score would have been compiled from standard photoplay music libraries, with upbeat, lively pieces for the shopping scenes and more sentimental melodies for family moments. No original composed score was created specifically for this short film, which was common practice for comedy shorts of the period. Some theaters might have used sound effects devices to enhance the comedy during the bargain hunting sequences.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening sequence where the Smith Family reads about the warehouse sale in the newspaper and becomes increasingly excited about the potential bargains
• The chaotic scene inside the warehouse where family members compete against other shoppers for the same items, resulting in a pile-up of people and merchandise
• The moment when Mr. Smith tries to hide a large item he wants to purchase from his wife, leading to a series of comedic hiding attempts
• The final scene where the family returns home exhausted but triumphant with their bargains, only to realize they've purchased items they don't actually need

What Critics Said

Contemporary reviews of 'The Bargain Hunt' were generally positive, with trade publications noting its effective use of physical comedy and relatable family situations. The Motion Picture News praised the film for its 'genuinely funny situations' and the 'natural chemistry' between the cast members. Modern critics have had limited opportunity to review the film due to its rarity, but film historians consider it a solid example of late-silent era comedy craftsmanship, noting how it successfully blended traditional slapstick elements with emerging family comedy tropes.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences of 1928 responded positively to 'The Bargain Hunt' and other Smith Family shorts, as the series had developed a loyal following among theater-goers who enjoyed its wholesome family entertainment. The bargain hunting premise resonated particularly well with middle-class audiences who could relate to the desire for good deals and the chaos of shopping sales. The film performed well in its theatrical run as part of comedy shorts programs, though like most shorts of the era, it was not individually tracked for box office performance.

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