Grand Slam Opera: a slapstick that doesn’t wash away with the rain

Alright, so last Friday I finally rewatched “Grand Slam Opera,” you know, the one from 1936 with Buster Keaton. I’d had a long week and honestly, I just wanted something where you didn’t have to think so much. And let’s be real, it delivers – if you count pratfalls, old-school showbiz, and the kind of ping-pong choreography that’s probably illegal on Swedish stages these days.

Directed by Del Lord (who also did loads with The Three Stooges, and trust me, you can tell), the film stars Keaton looking as lost as a Stockholmer on a Skåne farm. He’s joined by Lona Andre, who’s got more zing in her step than I had after my first cup of Gevalia this morning.

It’s all about this talent show/performance thing, way before anyone heard of Idol or Talang. You get the endless gags, and honestly, some are funnier than my uncle Bosse after a midsommar nubbe. There’s this bit with Buster and a broom on stage that somehow always makes me choke on my knäckebröd, and trust me, I’ve seen it a dozen times.

I remember, my first time seeing it was on a grim November evening. I’d just moved to Sundsvall, alone, new apartment, the smell of pizza Kartong and loneliness mingling in the air. “Grand Slam Opera” came on TV6, black-and-white fuzz and all, and for like 20 minutes, I actually laughed out loud instead of just thinking “heh” in my head.

Sure, the plot is skinnier than a surströmming sandwich, and yeah, the humor’s a bit crusty now. But there’s an energy you can’t ignore – it almost makes you want to get up and try your own bad vaudeville act (don’t, trust me, my friends still tease me about that party in ‘98).

For movie geeks, or anyone who needs a bit of cheer, this oldie is gold. Like a forgotten piece of godis at the bottom of the bag – maybe not the freshest, but still sweet.

watch the full movie on Mavshack Movies on YouTube

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