Back Stage

About This Movie

Back Stage (1917) is an interesting little comedy that gives you a peek behind the curtain of vaudeville life, albeit in a rather chaotic fashion. The film has this playful tone, with Props and his assistant Plunkville juggling their responsibilities and their vices, which brings a certain authenticity to the antics. Those Wiggle sisters, with their Hawaiian flair, add a layer of absurdity to the drama – their insistence on the star dressing room is just the tip of the iceberg. The pacing does feel erratic at times, but that seems fitting for a story set in a lively theater. It's fascinating to see how far the practical effects have come since then, yet here they charm rather than impress. This film kind of captures a moment in time when the stage was everything, and the cast’s performances have a rawness that feels genuine.

Back Stage has only seen a few releases over the years, making it somewhat scarce among silent film collectors. It exists in a couple of formats, but good quality prints are hard to come by. Interest in this film seems to grow as collectors seek out those early comedies that blend theatrical performance with on-screen antics, giving it a unique niche in silent film collections.