Borrah Minevitch and His Harmonica Rascals apparently made TWO different shorts for Vitaphone. This review is for the second one--made in 1935. I sure would LOVE to see the other one (made in 1933) as I loved every minute of the short...even the politically incorrect ones.
The short is unique because all the music is played on harmonicas--and WOW did these guys play fast and well. While you might think all those harmonicas would be annoying, my bet is that you, too, will find your feet tapping along--it's just very infectious and exciting.
Now in addition to the music, the band and their leader were a bit hammy as actors--with Minevitch seeming a tad like an effeminate Moe Howard as he slapped a few guys. Also, some might blanch at the band having a black guy and especially the tiny guy--mostly because they seemed a bit like comic relief. HOWEVER, this gave a black man a job with an otherwise white band and the same could be said about the diminutive man--at least they had jobs and were band members. And so, oddly, while this might annoy some today, at least there was some sense of inclusion....plus the whole thing is so much fun.
UPDATE: I just checked, and the earlier Minvitch short IS also included with this same set in which I saw the 1935 film. I can't wait to see it!
The short is unique because all the music is played on harmonicas--and WOW did these guys play fast and well. While you might think all those harmonicas would be annoying, my bet is that you, too, will find your feet tapping along--it's just very infectious and exciting.
Now in addition to the music, the band and their leader were a bit hammy as actors--with Minevitch seeming a tad like an effeminate Moe Howard as he slapped a few guys. Also, some might blanch at the band having a black guy and especially the tiny guy--mostly because they seemed a bit like comic relief. HOWEVER, this gave a black man a job with an otherwise white band and the same could be said about the diminutive man--at least they had jobs and were band members. And so, oddly, while this might annoy some today, at least there was some sense of inclusion....plus the whole thing is so much fun.
UPDATE: I just checked, and the earlier Minvitch short IS also included with this same set in which I saw the 1935 film. I can't wait to see it!
