Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Walking Back (1928)

Oh those crazy modern sheiks and shebas!

This movie was SO much fun!   Rife with slang and pop culture references, it tells the story of "Smoke" Thatcher (Richard Walling) and his jazz baby girlfriend, Patsy Schuyler (Sue Carol) as they live it up as teens in the Roaring Twenties.  Yes, there's a plot: Smoke steals a car and plays demolition derby with another boy to impress Patsy - entangling the two in gangster imbroglio when they stop by the shop to get it fixed. 

The main tone of the film, however, is teens vs. parents.  It's a 1920s John Hughes movie, complete with hopelessly old-fashioned parents (including Florence Turner as Patsy's mother) and fast-talking smart aleck kids. Richard Walling is good, but information on him is scarce; he only went on to make two other pictures. Sue Carol is a Clara Bow type, the cuddly flapper spitfire, and she plays her well.  She even resembles early Clara: Never mind.  Those pictures were both Sue Carol.  She resembles...herself.  *facepalm*


A light-hearted (and, towards the end, exciting) time capsule you can't help but enjoy.

I give this one: 

8 comments:

Amy Jeanne said...

Those are both Sue Carol in those pictures!!

Avalon76 said...

Nooo! I took it from the LIFE magazine photo page - they have it labeled as Clara Bow, 1924 or so.

Amy Jeanne said...

LIFE FAIL!!

Francy Flicks said...

A 1920s John Hughes-type movie? Oh, I must watch this!

Artman2112 said...

this sounds like one worth seeing! i'll have to check it out if i can.
and *ahem* we do know who's b-day it is tomorrow, yes?

Mythical Monkey said...

"I still insist there's a resemblance."

"Hey, she thinks I look alike."

Actually, she does look like Clara Bow.

Lolita Kane said...

Sounds like fun! I liked the 1920's youngster feeling in It, so maybe I need to watch this one!

Avalon76 said...

Definitely watch this one, Lo! You will love it!

Ahem, of course I know it's Sue Carol's birthday. Duh. ;)