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What's to Do?

Name: What's to Do?
Director: Charles Lamont
Released: 1933
Duration: 18 min

Representation Score

0.4/10

Minimal

1933

Passed

Director

Charles Lamont

Runtime

18 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

What's to Do? is a period-typical comedy that reinforces the social and gender hierarchies of the early 1930s. The narrative follows a standard hero's journey centered on a male protagonist's struggle to maintain his social standing and family ties. The film lacks any critique of contemporary social norms or multi-layered identities. Instead, it relies on conventional storytelling clichés, focusing on domestic and scholastic frameworks that prioritize traditional values of familial cohesion and social stability. Ultimately, the work functions as a standard studio-era comedy. It provides a window into the homogeneous casting and narrative structures prevalent in early sound-era filmmaking.

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Category Breakdown

Does What's to Do? have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film focuses on a typical romantic relationship between the main character and his girlfriend. There is no representation of non-traditional gender identities or any criticism of the assumption that everyone is straight.

How does What's to Do? portray gender?

Limited

The story centers on a male protagonist's leadership and athletic achievements. Female characters, such as Mary Lou, seem to play secondary roles to support the male protagonist's journey.

How racially and ethnically diverse is What's to Do??

Minimal

The movie does not feature a diverse cast or challenge traditional casting norms. It seems to reflect the homogeneous social structures typical of 1930s Hollywood.

How does What's to Do? represent religion and culture?

Limited

The themes center around traditional institutions like the nuclear family and school hierarchies. The plot emphasizes social stability and personal rivalry without addressing cultural or systemic issues.

Does What's to Do? include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no characters with visible or invisible disabilities. The narrative focuses solely on adolescent social dynamics and family conflicts.

Present on Screen

The film offers a clear look at the traditional social hierarchies and domestic values of the 1930s.

Limited or Absent

The narrative lacks diverse casting and fails to include multi-layered identities or systemic critiques.
Female characters are relegated to supporting roles that serve the male protagonist's journey.

Official Synopsis

Sonny Rogers has just gotten elected class president, he's a star baseball player, and has a cute girlfriend. But, thanks to the conniving of his rival, Harry Vanderpool, he and his whole family are going to have to move to Seattle! Sonny needs the help of his pals and his pesky little sister, Mary Lou, to get out of this one.

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