Watch What! No Beer?
- Passed
- 1933
- 1 hr 5 min
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5.6 (603)
What! No Beer? is a 1933 American comedy film directed by Edward Sedgwick and starring Buster Keaton, Jimmy Durante, and Roscoe Ates. The film is a parody of Prohibition-era America, when the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages were illegal. The story follows Elmer J. Butts (Buster Keaton), a small-town brewery owner who is forced to shut down his business after Prohibition goes into effect. Elmer is devastated by the loss of his livelihood and misses the days when he could enjoy a cold beer with his friends. He decides to head to the big city to try to convince the influential politicians there to repeal Prohibition.
While in the city, Elmer meets a zany cab driver named Jimmy Potts (Jimmy Durante) who takes him on a wild tour of the city's speakeasies and nightclubs. Along the way, they run into a cast of eccentric characters, including a crooked politician, a beautiful dance hall girl (played by the lovely Phyllis Barry), and a creepy bootlegger named Spike Moran (played by Roscoe Ates).
Despite many setbacks and mishaps, Elmer and Jimmy eventually succeed in their mission to convince the politicians to allow the sale of beer again. They celebrate with a raucous party at Elmer's brewery, where they proudly raise their glasses and declare, "What! No beer? Not anymore!"
What! No Beer? is a hysterical satire of the Prohibition era, and the film's humor still holds up today. Buster Keaton delivers a solid performance as the earnest and determined Elmer, while Jimmy Durante steals the show with his signature over-the-top antics.
The film also features some classic slapstick moments, such as a scene where Elmer gets caught in a revolving door and another where Jimmy gets his head stuck in a contraption that dispenses beer. The film's climax, which involves a wild car chase, is particularly memorable.
The film's message is clear: Prohibition was a misguided and ineffective policy that caused more harm than good. The film is a reminder that sometimes, even the best intentions can lead to unintended consequences.
Overall, What! No Beer? is a fun and entertaining comedy that will have you laughing out loud from beginning to end. It's a classic example of the lighthearted and irreverent humor that was popular during the 1930s, and it's a must-see for anyone who loves classic comedy.
What! No Beer? is a 1933 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 5 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6.