Is Professor Small and Mr. Tall Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1943)

The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

Debuting in 1943, Professor Small and Mr. Tall represents a sophisticated intersection of artistic ambition and genre-defining elements within the Animation, Comedy category. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into Small and Tall break a mirror on a train trip and their seven years of bad luck start immediately. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Animation, Comedy are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "Small and Tall break a mirror on a train trip and their seven years of bad luck start immediately. Stranded by an accident, they have trouble in a ghost town and finally are lost in the desert. The mirror saves them when they piece it back together, and everything is okay until they break the mirror again and their troubles start anew."

Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. Despite the inherent talent of John McLeish, the performance in Professor Small and Mr. Tall feels somewhat constrained by a narrative framework that doesn't fully exploit their range. There are flashes of brilliance, but the overall impact is muted.

The direction by Paul Sommer is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 8 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is Professor Small and Mr. Tall truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Animation, Comedy, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.

The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 0/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, Professor Small and Mr. Tall explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 1943 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Paul Sommer respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, Professor Small and Mr. Tall is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of John McLeish or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, Professor Small and Mr. Tall is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.