The Beau Brummels

Plot

This 1928 short film captures the legendary vaudeville comedy duo Shaw & Lee in their signature deadpan performance style. Al Shaw and Sam Lee present their unique brand of humor through a series of musical numbers and comedic sketches, delivering jokes with their characteristic expressionless faces that became their trademark. The film showcases the team's musical talents as they perform popular songs of the era while interspersing witty banter and humorous observations. Their deadpan delivery creates a hilarious contrast between their serious expressions and the comedic content of their material. The performance exemplifies the transition of vaudeville acts to the new medium of sound film, preserving their stage routine for cinema audiences.

Historical Background

This film was produced during a pivotal moment in cinema history - the transition from silent films to sound pictures in 1928. The Vitaphone sound-on-disc system, used for this film, represented cutting-edge technology that was revolutionizing the film industry. Vaudeville, which had been the dominant form of popular entertainment for decades, was in decline as talking pictures gained popularity. Many vaudeville performers were being recruited by film studios to provide content for the new sound format. This film represents both the preservation of vaudeville performance for future generations and the adaptation of stage acts to the new medium of cinema. The late 1920s also saw the rise of the short subject as a standard part of movie theater programming, with comedy and musical shorts like this serving as warm-ups for feature films.

Making Of

The filming of 'The Beau Brummels' was a straightforward production that essentially captured Shaw & Lee's established vaudeville routine on camera. The duo had been performing this material for years on stage, so the filming process mainly involved setting up cameras and recording equipment to document their act. The Vitaphone recording process required careful synchronization between the audio disc and the film projection, which was still a relatively new technology in 1928. Director Sam Lee (one half of the comedy duo) had to balance his dual role as performer and director, though the actual direction was likely handled by Warner Bros.' short film unit. The production team faced the challenge of capturing the subtle timing and delivery that made Shaw & Lee's comedy work, requiring precise microphone placement and camera angles to preserve their deadpan expressions.

Visual Style

The cinematography in 'The Beau Brummels' was straightforward and functional, typical of early sound shorts. The camera remained mostly static to capture the full performance of the comedy duo, with medium shots that allowed viewers to see both performers' deadpan expressions. The lighting was bright and even, necessary for the early sound recording equipment that was sensitive to visual noise. The cinematographer focused on preserving the visual aspects of the duo's performance style, particularly their signature stone-faced expressions that contrasted with their humorous dialogue. The camera work was designed to replicate the experience of watching a stage performance while adapting it for the film medium.

Innovations

The film's primary technical achievement was its successful use of the Vitaphone sound-on-disc system to capture live musical and comedy performance. The recording process managed to preserve the subtle timing and delivery essential to Shaw & Lee's deadpan comedy style, which was challenging with early sound equipment. The synchronization between audio and visual elements was particularly important for a comedy act where timing was crucial, and the film achieved this remarkably well for the era. The production demonstrated that sophisticated verbal comedy could work effectively in the new sound medium, paving the way for more dialogue-driven films.

Music

The soundtrack for 'The Beau Brummels' consisted primarily of the duo's live musical performances and comedic dialogue, recorded using the Vitaphone sound-on-disc system. Shaw & Lee performed several popular songs of the era, including their signature number 'I'm Afraid to Come Home in the Dark.' The musical arrangements were simple, typically featuring piano accompaniment that highlighted their vocal harmonies. The audio quality was considered excellent for the period, capturing the nuances of their deadpan delivery and musical timing. The soundtrack also included their comedic patter and jokes, which were as important to their act as their musical numbers.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening number where Shaw & Lee perform their signature deadpan introduction, immediately establishing their unique comedic style to the film audience

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised Shaw & Lee's unique comedic style and their successful transition to the sound medium. Variety magazine noted that 'their deadpan delivery transfers remarkably well to the screen, proving that good comedy needs no exaggerated expressions.' The Film Daily highlighted the duo's musical abilities, stating that 'their harmonious singing combined with their witty patter makes for an entertaining ten minutes.' Modern film historians view the short as an valuable example of early sound comedy, with Leonard Maltin noting that 'Shaw & Lee represent a more sophisticated approach to comedy than many of their contemporaries.' The film is often cited in studies of vaudeville's influence on early cinema.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences of 1928 embraced Shaw & Lee's film debut, finding their deadpan style refreshing compared to the more exaggerated performances common in early sound films. Theater owners reported positive responses to the short, with many requesting more Shaw & Lee films for their programs. The duo's established popularity from vaudeville helped ensure a built-in audience for their screen appearances. Contemporary audience letters published in trade publications praised the duo's 'natural' style and 'hilarious' timing. The film's brief runtime and straightforward entertainment value made it popular as part of theater programs during the early sound era.

You Might Also Like