Admirable film.

It is not deep, but it is fun to watch. It does have a bit more of an edge to it than other similar films.

The first must-see film of the year.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

The Boob (1926), a 10/10 Warner Archive release, is mostly of interest to really devoted Joan Crawford fans who won't mind the facts that her role is small and that's she's poorly costumed, made up, and photographed. In addition to this disservice to Joan Crawford, the movie is slackly directed by a heavy-handed William Wellman. In fact both both director Wellman and the script heavily favor the "comic" antics of Charlie Murray, George K. Arthur and soon-to-be-wed (to M-G-M director Robert Z. Leonard) Gertrude Olmstead. True, the movie does have its fun moments (the uplifting chorus costumes), but basically it runs out of puff well before its actual conclusion.It could be said that at least "The Boob" obviously cost M-G-M a little bit of money. Not much. The unlikely speakeasy set, for example, is a left-over from "Ben Hur".

The Boob is a charming silent comedy about a farm boy named Peter Good (George K. Arthur) who is in love with a girl named Amy (Gertrude Olmstead). Amy, as is so often the case, doesn't like Peter back. So, to prove himself to Amy, Peter dresses up like a cowboy and goes after bootleggers. Wait...what? Yeah, it's a little dumb plotwise but it's cute and funny. Nice performances from Arthur and Charles Murray as Cactus Jim. Contrary to the way the film is advertised on TCM as well as the DVD cover, it is not a starring vehicle for Joan Crawford. Joan has a small part as a revenue agent (!). This is also an early William Wellman film before he made it big with "Wings."

Country boy George K. Arthur (as Peter Good) is in love with Gertrude Olmstead (as Amy), but she has taken up smooching with city-slicker Tony D'Algy (as Harry Benson). Mr. Arthur dons western Tom Mix-type clothing to appear more manly, but Ms. Olmstead is unimpressed. Arthur suspicions that Mr. D'Algy is really a criminal bootlegger are proved to be correct. Then, Arthur must rescue Olmstead from D'Algy's clutches... Though he is a likable character, this is a dated-to-the-point-of-unfunny comedy feature for Arthur. Most unfunny is Charles Murray (as Cactus Jim)'s running gag about hiding his endless supply of booze - helped, no doubt, by bootleggers. Joan Crawford (as Jane) lifts spirits considerably, with her turn as a crack revenue agent. D'Algy is a good kisser. "The Boob" is more of a curiosity than a comedy, but it's a chance to see some silent performers in well-preserved celluloid. **** The Boob (5/17/26) William A. Wellman ~ George K. Arthur, Gertrude Olmstead, Joan Crawford, Tony D'Algy

The Boob is one of those ancient films rescued from perpetual obscurity by Turner Classic Movies, and while it may not be on a par with Keaton or Lloyd, it's still an entertaining and quite funny film. George K. Arthur is the Keatonesque milquetoast on the trail of bootleggers, and while he lacks Buster's acrobatic skills and doesn't really connect emotionally, he's alright. Charles Murray has some of the film's funniest moments as the perpetually soused cowboy Cactus Jim, but the film really stands out during some terrific fantasy sequences, including a flying bed scene and a Frederick Remington painting come to life. A genuine discovery for fans of silent comedy.