Next Week-End

About This Movie

Next Week-End is this curious little comedy from 1934 that captures a rather mundane dinner party spiraling into a night of unexpected chaos. The atmosphere is a mix of dullness and desperation, with our drunken host, Will Stanton, offering a humorous yet tragic portrait of someone trying to escape his own boring life. The pacing is uneven, reflecting the awkwardness of social gatherings gone wrong. What stands out is the performance of Dorothy Granger, whose singing barely registers until Stanton’s antics shake things up. The film's practical effects and set design lean into the era’s aesthetic, giving it a distinct feel that can be both charming and uncomfortable. It's one of those films that feels like a time capsule of its era’s humor and social norms.

Next Week-End has seen limited releases over the years, making it somewhat harder to track down, particularly in good quality prints. As a pre-code film, it offers a glimpse into the comedic sensibilities of the early 30s, drawing the interest of collectors who appreciate the nuances of that era. It's not a title that pops up frequently in collector circles, but when it does, it certainly piques curiosity among those who enjoy the less conventional comedies of early Hollywood.