Stepping Out

The earliest widely used sound system for movies was one first used by Warner Brothers with "The Jazz Singer"...and a few other studios also used the same sytem. But it soon was replaced. Why? Because the sound came on a separate record that needed to be played as the film was played. There were three big problems with the system. First, synchronizing the record with the projector wasn't easy and often the sound lagged or preceded the action. Second, the discs wore out VERY fast...sometimes after less than a dozen playings! Third, the records OFTEN got separated from the film and by about 1990, hundreds or perhaps thousands of films existed in part...with either the film or the record. But since the internet, collectors and respositories across the world have been communicating...sharing what they had in order to reunite the discs with the films. Hundreds or more such cases have occurred...which is wonderful for old movie buffs.

Unfortunately, "Stepping Out" STILL exists...but without the sound. But some folks have come up with an alternative...putting captions in the film and adding music. Is it still worth seeing?

Charley (Charley Chase) is home with his wife, Thelma (Thelma Todd). Despite having a lovely wife, he tells her foolishly that he missing his wild bachelor days. Amazingly, she lets him go out for a night on the town. Unfortunately, it turns out to be a bust.

The missing disc IS a problem in two ways. First, the lady he picks up is supposed to talk in a very annoying manner...and just how annoying isn't clear due to the captioning. Second, Charley sings...and he did have a lovely voice. But you certainly can't hear it here!

Despite these minor problems, it's still a cute little comedy and is well worth your time.

One funny gag might need explaining for some folks. Early in the film, Charley wanders into a nightclub and he has a badge. The patrons all think he's a cop and toss away their hidden supply of booze...and it's quite a pile! This is because the film was made during Prohibition...and alcohol was against the law in the USA. This experiment, not surprisingly, was a failure and folks returned to drinking in time for Christmas, 1933.

Charley Chase has been married to Thelma Todd for five years, and is missing the days when he sowed his wild oats. Thelma tells him he can go out on the town on his own.

Things don't work out, of course. The moths have gotten at his formal duds, and the night clubs don't allowed unaccompanied men. So Charley picks up a date. Unfortunately for him, it's Anita Garvin.

This early Chase talkie is still missing its sound track, but it gets along fine without it, as Miss Garvin torments Charley, who grows maudlin drunk. Frankly, the pacing seems to work better in his early talkies without the soundtrack, with Charley's gags still firmly visual.