A bizarre and jaunty (courtesy of the new score) surrealist short that displays, if nothing else, Welles' sense of humor and his burgeoning skills as a cameraman. It's amusing and interesting as a piece of film history, but not the first indication of a genius at work.

"A young Orson Welles tries a surreal short with experimental cinematography. An old lady sits on top of a bell while her black servant rings it. Death (Welles) arrives, bows, takes a few lives and plays piano. Random symbolism, grainy film, humorous experimentation."

Maybe Welles's peak.

Works, as a joke.

Truffaut once said that this was supposed to be a joke about surrealistic short movies Un Chien Andalou and Le Sang d'un Poete.

Orson Welles made this, his first film, at the tender age of 19. It's quite unusual considering. It's pretty abstract, like some of what the surrealists were doing, and Orson and his friends are made up to look old (and one is blackfaced). You can easily tell by watching this that it is the work of someone with a very sharp visual aesthetic.

Well, it's always interesting to see the humble beginnings of great filmmakers. Orson Welles's first short film appears to be influenced by/a spoof of early surrealistic films by the likes of Buñuel, and as such it has some interesting imagery. This is obviously the work of someone who knows how to handle a camera. Beyond that, though, this is a curio at best.

Early Welles, with some blooming indications of genius in the film's lyricism. However, I couldn't tell at the time if it was surrealism or just damned confusing. I have since learned it was Welles making fun of surrealism, which explains the silliness. The blackface is most regrettable.

so boring...

Not only does it poke fun at surrealism, but the whole piece stands as sort of a "Guess Who" of film greats - can you spot all the references and allusions? Make a drinking game out of it!