Film #129 - A Few Moments with Eddie Cantor (1923)
Viewed May 9, 2006
A Few Moments with Eddie Cantor is an early talkie short that basically features Cantor doing his act for the camera.
The real problem is, he obviously is used to interacting with the audience and this is totally lost when recorded in this way. After most of the jokes, he paused for the reaction, and there is none. There was probably no real opportunity to film with an audience, but it really makes the whole performance fall somewhat flat. It doesn’t help that it is basically just a straight-on shot of Cantor, without any kind of flair or attempt to spice up the view. With such a spartan style, it’s difficult for Cantor’s personality to really come through.
Still, it’s really interesting to see Cantor do his act in this way and it’s good that his style of performing was documented for future generations. It’s a little slice of a bygone era and at under ten minutes running time, it’s certainly worth a look.
NOTE: I kept thinking I should say more than I have, but it’s just Eddie Cantor doing his act. What more is there really to say? I suppose I could point out that I didn’t find his jokes to be that funny, but as more of a historical document than an actual entertainment, that doesn’t seem relevant, somehow.