Ernst Lubitsch was unquestionably a master filmmaker, and he was especially deft when it came to comedy. 1916's 'Schuchpalast Pinkus' ('Shoe Palace Pinkus') is notably one of his very first feature films, as well as one of his oldest surviving pictures. It is perhaps less notable as a comedy. There is consistent mild amusement to be found here, but at no point does the entertainment ever reach nearly the level as some of Lubitsch's other titles from even just a few short years later (e.g. 'The Oyster Princess,' 'I don't want to be a man,' or 'The doll'). Boasting situational humor, a touch of physical comedy, and exaggerated characters and performances, this is a movie that's reasonably enjoyable - but hardly essential, except perhaps as cinema history.
Make no mistake, even so early in his career, as both director and actor Lubitsch demonstrates a keen sense of timing, and how to build a scene to maximize audience engagement. So it is as well for his co-stars, including frequent collaborator Ossi Oswalda, and regular writing partners Hanns Kräly and Erich Schönfelder, to whom this screenplay is credited. In viewing 'Schuhpalast Pinkus' one can trace a line from these embryonic days of the medium to later renditions of similar characters to Lubitsch's "Sally," with actors like Peter Sellers, Steve Martin, and Rowan Atkinson coming to mind. The "fumbling fool" who somehow nonetheless climbs up in society is a reliable archetype of film.
With all the advantages 'Schuhpalast Pinkus' has going for it, however, including some especially well considered shots and scenes, somehow it just never manages to reach a level to particularly ingratiate itself with viewers. Maybe the pace and plot development, and the scene writing, is just too unbothered, or the intertitles too frequent. Maybe the light comedy herein just hasn't aged well, in contrast to Lubitsch's other works. Nothing specifically stands out in the movie as a flaw - but at the same time, I suppose the problem is that nothing specifically stands out, at all. The runtime comes and goes without making much of an impression.
For Lubitsch admirers and completionists, and for those utterly enamored of the silent era, this is worth a mere hour of one's time. For those who enjoy comedies of any timeframe, it's worth exploring the roots of the genre on film. And for that matter, anyone looking for a title to watch in passing, that neither requires nor fosters utmost active investment, will be well suited here. If you're looking for especially robust laughs, 'Schuhpalast Pinkus' will unfortunately not be the movie to supply them - but for its place in cinema history, and in the oeuvre of a great filmmaker, and for the easy air of amusement it provides, this is a fairly good time if you come across it.
