IN WHAT! NO BEER? (1933): BUSTER KEATON AND JIMMY DURANTE TURN PROHIBITION INTO COMEDY GOLD! 🍺😂
1. A Classic Comedy from Hollywood’s Golden Age
Few comedy partnerships could create as much chaos and laughter as Buster Keaton and Jimmy Durante. In the 1933 comedy What! No Beer?, the two legendary performers come together for a hilarious adventure involving romance, ambition, bootlegging, and plenty of unexpected trouble.
Directed by Edward Sedgwick, the film takes place during the final days of American Prohibition, a period when the production and sale of alcoholic beverages were heavily restricted.
At the center of the story is a lovable, somewhat awkward taxidermist played by Buster Keaton. Hoping to improve his financial situation and win the affection of the woman he loves, he finds himself involved in a business venture that quickly becomes much bigger than he ever imagined.
What begins as a simple attempt to make money soon turns into a series of ridiculous situations, especially when gangsters and the authorities become involved.
2. Buster Keaton as an Unlikely Businessman
Buster Keaton was already famous for his remarkable physical comedy, expressive performances, and extraordinary ability to make complicated stunts look effortless.
In What! No Beer?, he plays a character whose romantic ambitions lead him into an unusual business opportunity.
His character hopes to impress Phyllis Barry by becoming wealthy. However, rather than following a conventional path to success, he finds himself entering the brewing industry at precisely the moment when America is preparing to abandon Prohibition.
Keaton’s naturally serious expression makes the situation even funnier.
While everything around him becomes increasingly chaotic, his character often responds with the same calm, almost emotionless expression that made him such an unforgettable comedy star.
This contrast between his quiet personality and the absurd situations surrounding him provides much of the film’s entertainment.
His ability to communicate confusion, frustration, and surprise without relying heavily on dialogue demonstrates why his comedy remains so distinctive.
3. Jimmy Durante Brings His Own Brand of Comedy
One of the biggest attractions of What! No Beer? is the partnership between Buster Keaton and Jimmy Durante.
Durante was known for his loud personality, distinctive voice, expressive face, and energetic comedic style.
His approach was almost the complete opposite of Keaton’s.
Where Keaton often relied on silence, precise movements, and understated reactions, Durante brought tremendous energy and verbal humor to every scene.
This contrast creates an entertaining dynamic between the two performers.
Their characters become partners in the brewing business, but their plans rarely unfold as smoothly as expected.
The combination of Keaton’s quiet determination and Durante’s larger-than-life personality gives the film much of its charm.
Rather than competing for attention, their different comedic styles complement each other, producing a series of amusing interactions.
4. The Historical Background: America’s Prohibition Era
The story of What! No Beer? becomes even more interesting when viewed against its historical background.
Prohibition began in the United States in January 1920, following the introduction of the Eighteenth Amendment and the Volstead Act.
The laws prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages, creating an enormous impact on American society and business.
However, the restrictions also encouraged illegal alcohol production and underground distribution networks.
Organized crime groups became involved in bootlegging, while secret bars and illegal breweries appeared in different parts of the country.
By the early 1930s, public opinion had increasingly turned against Prohibition.
The economic difficulties of the Great Depression also encouraged discussions about legalizing alcohol production and creating new sources of government revenue.
On December 5, 1933, the Twenty-First Amendment officially repealed the Eighteenth Amendment.
This historical turning point provides the perfect setting for the comedy’s central business idea.
The film takes advantage of the unusual circumstances surrounding the end of Prohibition and turns them into an entertaining Hollywood adventure.
5. When a Brewery Becomes a Magnet for Trouble
The brewery venture initially appears to offer the perfect opportunity for the two partners.
With Prohibition nearing its end, they believe they can turn their business idea into a profitable enterprise.
Unfortunately, running a brewery proves considerably more complicated than they imagined.
Their involvement in the alcohol business brings them into contact with gangsters, suspicious characters, and law enforcement officers.
The situation becomes increasingly ridiculous as their attempts to manage the business lead to misunderstandings and unexpected complications.
This is where the film’s classic comedy elements become particularly effective.
The characters are constantly trying to maintain control of circumstances that seem determined to escape them.
Keaton’s physical performance adds another layer of humor, while Durante’s energetic reactions make the increasingly complicated situation even more entertaining.
The brewery becomes more than just a business opportunity. It becomes the center of a comedy adventure filled with confusion and surprises.
6. Phyllis Barry and the Romantic Motivation
Although the brewery provides the main source of the film’s chaos, romance is an important part of the story.
Buster Keaton’s character is motivated by his feelings for Phyllis Barry.
His desire to win her heart gives him a reason to pursue wealth and success, even when his plans become increasingly questionable.
This romantic motivation is a familiar element of classic Hollywood comedy.
Characters often find themselves pursuing ambitious schemes because they believe money, status, or success will finally help them achieve happiness.
In this case, the desire to impress the woman he loves leads the protagonist into a business adventure that creates far more problems than expected.
The romantic storyline also gives the audience a reason to sympathize with his character despite his questionable business decisions.
7. Why What! No Beer? Remains an Interesting Classic
Released in 1933, What! No Beer? represents an interesting moment in Buster Keaton’s career.
By this time, Hollywood was firmly established in the sound-film era, and silent comedy performers were adapting to a changing entertainment industry.
Keaton’s earlier silent films had demonstrated his extraordinary talents as a physical comedian and filmmaker.
However, sound cinema required a different approach to performance.
Working alongside Jimmy Durante gave him an opportunity to explore a comedy style that combined physical humor with dialogue-driven situations.
The film also captures an unusual chapter of American history through an entertaining fictional story.
Its Prohibition-era setting, unusual business partnership, and romantic storyline create a distinctive combination that separates it from many other comedies of the period.
For fans of classic Hollywood, it offers an opportunity to appreciate two very different comedy legends sharing the screen.
Conclusion: Two Comedy Legends, One Unforgettable Brewery Adventure!
What! No Beer? (1933) brings together Buster Keaton and Jimmy Durante in a comedy filled with ambitious plans, romantic hopes, gangsters, and unexpected complications.
Keaton’s wonderfully understated expressions contrast perfectly with Durante’s energetic personality, creating a partnership that gives the film its distinctive appeal.
Behind the humor is also a fascinating historical backdrop: America’s final days of Prohibition and the dramatic changes surrounding the legalization of alcohol.
More than nine decades later, the film remains an interesting reminder of Hollywood’s evolving comedy traditions.
Two unlikely businessmen, one brewery, and a whole lot of trouble! When Buster Keaton and Jimmy Durante get into business together, how could anything possibly go according to plan? 😂🍺
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