This is one of the most "politically incorrect" and insensitive films I have seen in a long time. In fact, I think if some people watch it, they are putting themselves in jeopardy of having their heads explode!! Yes, it's THAT bad! So if you think there's a chance this could happen to you, I think it best you skip this one!
In a bizarre plot twist, the film is about a White guy who poses as a Black named "Rastus" to get work shining shoes! To me, he doesn't look very Black and looks a lot like the "Blacks" in BIRTH OF A NATION, though he does have the "Amos 'n Andy style dialog down pat. And, not only is the whole thing offensive, but what sane White guy in 1925 would want to live life as a Black man--with all the prejudice, lack of opportunities and outright hatred that would come along with it!!??
The novelty of the whole race aspect withstanding, what exactly are you left with in this film? Well, after the shoeshine bit, "Rastus" then gets a job working with a miner out West and the film is really more like a short Western than a comedy--especially since there aren't any jokes. The problem is that claim-jumpers want to steal the gold mine and so it's up to our hero to not only file the claim first but battle the baddies along the way. Also, the 'surprise ending' just doesn't make any sense, as how could ANYONE mix up salt for gold!? Overall, not horribly made but offensive and unfunny.
In a bizarre plot twist, the film is about a White guy who poses as a Black named "Rastus" to get work shining shoes! To me, he doesn't look very Black and looks a lot like the "Blacks" in BIRTH OF A NATION, though he does have the "Amos 'n Andy style dialog down pat. And, not only is the whole thing offensive, but what sane White guy in 1925 would want to live life as a Black man--with all the prejudice, lack of opportunities and outright hatred that would come along with it!!??
The novelty of the whole race aspect withstanding, what exactly are you left with in this film? Well, after the shoeshine bit, "Rastus" then gets a job working with a miner out West and the film is really more like a short Western than a comedy--especially since there aren't any jokes. The problem is that claim-jumpers want to steal the gold mine and so it's up to our hero to not only file the claim first but battle the baddies along the way. Also, the 'surprise ending' just doesn't make any sense, as how could ANYONE mix up salt for gold!? Overall, not horribly made but offensive and unfunny.
