The Golfers

Plot

Charlie Guest is an aspiring golfer who dreams of becoming the world's greatest player to win the affection of Thelma Hill, a woman who only has eyes for the best golfers. His main rival is Bert Swor, a renowned professional golfer who already has captured Thelma's attention with his impressive skills. The film follows Charlie's comical attempts to master the game of golf, leading to a series of slapstick mishaps and humorous situations on the golf course. As Charlie struggles with the fundamentals of golf, he must overcome his lack of talent and numerous obstacles to prove himself worthy of Thelma's love. The climax builds to a golf tournament where Charlie must face off against the skilled Bert Swor in a final showdown for both the championship and Thelma's heart.

Historical Background

1929 was a pivotal year in cinema history, marking the end of the silent film era and the full emergence of sound pictures. The Jazz Singer had already revolutionized the industry in 1927, and by 1929, most major studios were producing sound films exclusively. Mack Sennett, who had been a pioneer of silent comedy with his Keystone Studios and later Mack Sennett Comedies, was facing significant challenges adapting his style to the new medium. The year also saw the first Academy Awards ceremony, though comedy shorts like 'The Golfers' were not yet part of the awards structure. The film was released just months before the devastating stock market crash of October 1929, which would trigger the Great Depression and dramatically impact the entertainment industry. Golf itself was experiencing a surge in popularity during the 1920s, with the sport becoming more accessible to the middle class and champions like Bobby Jones capturing the public's imagination.

Making Of

The production of 'The Golfers' took place during a tumultuous time in Hollywood history, as the industry was rapidly transitioning from silent films to 'talkies.' Mack Sennett, who had built his empire on silent comedy, was struggling to adapt to the new technology. The filming likely utilized natural lighting on location at a golf course, which was typical for Sennett's outdoor comedies. The cast would have rehearsed their physical comedy routines extensively, as timing was crucial for the slapstick gags. Andy Clyde, as the lead, would have performed many of his own stunts, which was common for comedy actors of this era. The golf setting provided unique opportunities for visual comedy, with balls flying in unexpected directions, clubs breaking, and characters falling into sand traps and water hazards. The film was probably shot quickly over a few days, as comedy shorts of this period were typically produced on tight schedules and budgets.

Visual Style

The cinematography in 'The Golfers' would have been typical of late-1920s comedy shorts, utilizing static camera positions for most scenes with occasional tracking shots to follow the action. The outdoor golf course setting provided natural lighting, which was a practical choice for Sennett productions working with limited budgets. The camera work would have been designed to clearly capture the physical comedy and ensure that gags were visible to the audience. Wide shots would establish the golf course setting, while medium shots would focus on the actors' performances and reactions. The cinematographer would have paid special attention to framing the golf-related gags, such as balls flying off course or characters' exaggerated swings. The film was likely shot on 35mm black and white film stock, standard for the era. The visual style would emphasize clarity over artistic innovation, as the primary goal was to showcase the comedy rather than create visual poetry.

Innovations

As a late-1920s comedy short, 'The Golfers' does not appear to have introduced any significant technical innovations. The film would have utilized standard camera and editing techniques of the era. The production might have employed some trick photography for the golf gags, such as stop-motion effects to show balls disappearing or reappearing in unexpected places. The outdoor filming on a golf course presented some technical challenges in terms of lighting and sound control, though these were managed through standard practices of the time. The film represents the refinement of established silent comedy techniques rather than technical breakthroughs. The timing of the physical comedy sequences demonstrates the sophisticated understanding of comedic pacing that had developed over two decades of silent film production. The intertitles would have been carefully crafted to provide necessary exposition while maintaining the comedic rhythm of the film.

Music

As a 1929 release during the transition to sound, 'The Golfers' was likely presented as a silent film with musical accompaniment. Theaters would have provided live musical performances, typically with a piano or small orchestra playing popular songs of the era along with mood-appropriate classical pieces. The music would have been synchronized to enhance the comedy, with lively tunes accompanying the slapstick sequences and romantic melodies during the scenes between Charlie and Thelma. Some theaters might have used compiled cue sheets or photoplay music specifically selected for golf-themed films. If the film was released very late in 1929, it's possible it could have had a synchronized musical score using processes like Movietone or Photophone, but it would not have contained spoken dialogue. The absence of recorded sound meant that the comedy relied entirely on visual gags, physical performance, and intertitles for storytelling.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening sequence where Charlie attempts to learn golf basics, resulting in clubs flying and balls going in every direction except forward
• The tournament finale where Charlie's unorthodox techniques accidentally work to his advantage
• The romantic scene where Charlie tries to impress Thelma with his supposed golfing knowledge
• The montage of Charlie's disastrous practice sessions, each more comical than the last

What Critics Said

Contemporary critical reception for comedy shorts like 'The Golfers' was limited, as these films were primarily reviewed in trade publications rather than mainstream newspapers. Variety and The Hollywood Reporter likely provided brief assessments, focusing on the film's entertainment value and gags. Reviews from this period typically praised the physical comedy and timing while noting the familiarity of the plot. Modern critical assessment of the film is virtually nonexistent, as it has not been widely studied or preserved in film history curricula. When silent comedy shorts are examined today, attention usually focuses on the major works of Chaplin, Keaton, and Lloyd, leaving Sennett's later works like this one relatively overlooked. Film historians who have studied Sennett's oeuvre generally view his late-1920s output as less innovative than his earlier groundbreaking work at Keystone, though still representative of his distinctive comedic style.

What Audiences Thought

Audience reception for 'The Golfers' in 1929 would have been tied to the overall popularity of comedy shorts in theater programs. These films were designed to provide light entertainment between feature presentations, and audiences typically enjoyed the familiar format and predictable gags. The golf theme would have resonated with the growing number of Americans who were taking up the sport during the 1920s golf boom. Andy Clyde, as the star, had developed a following from his previous comedy work, which would have attracted his fans to the short. The physical comedy and slapstick elements were universally understood and appreciated by audiences of all ages and backgrounds. However, with the rapid transition to sound films, audiences were increasingly drawn to talking pictures, and silent shorts like this one were becoming less appealing by 1929. The film's release just before the stock market crash also meant that its theatrical run was likely cut short as theaters struggled with declining attendance during the early Depression years.

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