Gems of M-G-M (1930)
** (out of 4)
This short from MGM isn't what one would consider a "good" movie but I think film buffs will want to check it out. Benny Rubin first comes out playing an embarrassing Russian Jew with some rather unfunny remarks, which will probably insult some. Then he introduces Marion Harris who does a couple musical numbers. Rubin then comes back out, this time in blackface, and yikes is the performance bad. He then introduces The Brox Sisters who perform two music numbers. GEMS OF M-G-M certainly doesn't contain any gems but it's worth viewing for a couple reasons. One is Harris who does a nice job with a couple of her numbers and some might remember her name for a variety of reasons that can be found online. The second reason to watch the film is due to Rubin, not because he's good but because he's just so strange. Watching blackface acts today is a lot different than if we were in a theater back in 1930. This type of comedy no longer works today and usually when viewed today it's just for a shock value. The shock value is here but I found Rubin to be incredible boring and bland with his jokes. The dancing wasn't too bad but he's certainly a long way from Jolson.