Today’s quick review: Speak Easily. After receiving a windfall inheritance, Professor Post (Buster Keaton), a sheltered academic, sets out to see the world. Along the way, he meets a struggling troupe of actors and makes friends with Jimmy Dodge (Jimmy Durante), a loud-mouthed comedian, and Pansy Peets (Ruth Selwyn), a level-headed dancer. Enchanted with their performances, Professor Post uses his fortune to take their show to Broadway.
Speak Easily is a classic comedy starring Buster Keaton. The movie has a different style of humor than Keaton’s silent films, putting dialogue at the forefront and only using slapstick as a supplement. Speak Easily centers around the bookish, naive figure of Professor Post, who finds himself adrift in the chaotic world of show business. Although a clear step down from Keaton’s best work, the movie is a fun romp with some clever gags.
Speak Easily’s main problem is its weak foundation. The initial premise has some potential—a newly wealthy academic trying to live a little—but it quickly gets scrapped in favor of a plot about bringing a terrible play to Broadway. The movie relies too much on Post’s naivety for its humor, and in general, it has a hard time coming up with fruitful routines. It also makes sparing use of the physical humor that is Keaton’s forte.
In spite of these issues, Speak Easily manages to be an entertaining comedy, thanks largely to the talents of Buster Keaton and Jimmy Durante. Even its weakest sequences are witty, and the interplay between its characters lets the film make the most of its somewhat lackluster setups. Keaton’s slapstick comedy is a highlight of the film, even though it’s limited to a few specific sequences.
Speak Easily is a fine pick for fans of classic comedies. Although it lacks the charm and originality of Keaton’s earlier work, it still earns laughs due to its talented cast and a few clever jokes. Viewers who are accustomed to the rhythms of 30s comedy will find it to be a fun but unexceptional entry into the genre. Those looking for something more distinctive may want to try Keaton’s silent films instead.
For a madcap comedy about an intellectual who’s in over his head, try Bringing Up Baby. For a comedy about a professor who tries to remake himself, try The Nutty Professor. For a family comedy about trying to take a play to Broadway, try The Muppets Take Manhattan. For a comedy about the production of a terrible musical, check out The Producers. For a more iconic comedy from Buster Keaton, try The General or Steamboat Bill, Jr.
5.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for entertaining but somewhat generic comedy.