Expensive Kisses

About This Movie

So, 'Expensive Kisses' from 1930 is an interesting little comedy that revolves around this guy, Bert Roach, who's just gotten divorced and lost a fortune. He makes this outrageous bet that he can avoid women, with escalating amounts of money at stake for every kiss, engagement, or marriage. It’s like a commentary on relationships and money, wrapped in a light-hearted atmosphere. The pacing has this nice rhythm, swinging between Roach's internal dilemmas and the comedic situations that arise. The performances, particularly Roach’s, have this charmingly unrefined quality that gives it an authentic feel. It’s a bit of a curiosity, showcasing the early sound era's comedic style, but not many copies floating around out there, so it attracts collectors’ attention for its rarity.

This film is somewhat of a rarity in collector circles, as its availability is limited, and it hasn't seen many re-releases over the years. The vintage 16mm prints and early VHS are of particular interest among enthusiasts. It's not just the comedic elements that draw collectors, but also its historical context in early sound cinema, which makes finding a decent copy quite the hunt.