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The Smart Way

Name: The Smart Way
Director: William Watson
Released: 1937
Duration: 17 min

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Representation Score

1.3/10

Minimal

1937

Approved

Director

William Watson

Runtime

17 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The Smart Way is a period comedy that aligns closely with the social and narrative structures of the 1930s. It centers on marital friction and traditional gender roles, using standard comedic frameworks of the era. The film reflects the homogeneous and narrow focus of its time, lacking in progressive representation or diverse character perspectives.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Smart Way have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film doesn't include any characters with non-binary gender identities or same-sex relationships. It follows a traditional structure focused on heterosexual relationships.

How does The Smart Way portray gender?

Limited

The story revolves around a power struggle between a husband and wife. Although the wife's demand for entertainment creates a temporary shift, the conflict stays within conventional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Smart Way?

Minimal

The cast appears to be entirely Anglo-Saxon, reflecting the homogeneous casting practices common in 1930s comedies.

How does The Smart Way represent religion and culture?

Limited

The narrative emphasizes marital stability and domestic life without questioning Western societal norms. It adheres strictly to the social norms of its time.

Does The Smart Way include disability representation?

Minimal

The story doesn't feature any characters with visible or invisible disabilities, nor does it address neurodivergence or chronic health issues.

Present on Screen

The film humorously explores the dynamics of domestic power struggles and marital negotiations.

Limited or Absent

The narrative lacks diverse casting and doesn't represent non-binary gender identities.
The story relies on traditional gender roles without challenging systemic hierarchies.
There is no representation of disabilities or diverse cultural perspectives.

Official Synopsis

Professor Pierre Ginsberg is having wife trouble and, on the advice of his lawyer, sets out to wear her down with kindness; she wants constant entertainment his lawyer promises him that a month of dancing and entertainment will eventually kill her or, at least, calm her down some. The exact opposite happens and Professor Ginsberg stands a good chance of dying himself. He manages to sing a song, in the best Willie Howard style, along the way.

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