My condolences, and may she rest in peace.

Alice

ALERT- Professor Beware is on YouTube for today only! It’s under another one of Ric’s channels (99whatsupdoc99) listed as an ‘encore’. A pretty good film, sadly not included in the Harold Lloyd Comedy Collection.

I pass on solicitations to Suzanne and the rest of the family,

Naveed

Hope this will help,

Alice

By the way, Maddie, I completely agree with you. I just don’t understand how people can just write Harold off as being less brilliant than he obviously is… I think he’s better than Keaton and Chaplin! One look at popularity polls in the twenties tells you that. I think the main reason why so many are not aware of how great he truly is is because of the availibility of his films verses Chaplin’s or Keaton’s. At least we now have the Harold Lloyd Comedy Collection out now- I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have it already!

Harold Lloyd not only deserves to be alongside Chaplin or Keaton in terms of comedic talent, but in my opinion surpasses both of them. Take what you think is the best film or films of all three, and I guarantee Harold comes up trumps all the time.
But you will not convince many of the so-called experts or those writing articles on silent screen comedians or some folks on forums, who still tend to bypass our Harold!
I want to add that no-one should take Hal Roach’s comments as gospel when it comes to Harolds ability as an actor or comedian. Keep in mind that, despite keeping of appearances (of a willing separation on both sides), Hal Roach must have been very unhappy when Harold decided to quit making films with him back in the early 1920′s. Despite their friendship, I think he carried a sort of grudge against Harold for this reason. It must have also galled him that he was not talented in that sphere (of acting comedy) himself!
As for ‘gag men’, the final say and direction was only Harold Lloyds. We are all inspired by others ideas at times. But how one accomplishes that idea is what really shows the final genius, so to speak.
I’m sure Harold himself came up with stellar ideas.

Alice, keep up the conversation about Harold with others. Its the best to introduce the man on the clock! By the way I have always wanted to view that later talkie Professor Beware. If you know of anyone or any way for me to get hold of that film, let me know!
Just saw The Milky Way again today. Found it very amusing.

But for my question: What do you think? Is Harold not worthy of being the “3rd Genius” or being alongside Chaplin or Keaton in terms of comedic talent?

Sorry for the rant. Had to get it off my chest!

When found in a situation with someone where neither of us is talking, I strike up an conversation by asking, “Do you find someone dangling off the face of a clock on the side of a building stories up in the air funny?” I always find myself trying to show others that just because something is old, it doesn’t make it boring. If I could find a theater showing a silent any where near where I live, I’d be there in a heartbeat.

I was very fortunate just now to catch Professor Beware airing. Certainly not one of Lloyd’s strongest films, but fairly funny just the same. Checked that one off the list.

Oh, by the way, a person by the username of RedTango on YouTube has bought old reels of some of HL’s one-reelers that you mentioned and transferred them to digital format onto YouTube. I’ve watched a few so far, “Don’t Shove” and “Spring Fever” for example, on there.

Alice

So happy that your friends are also enthused. I try to introduce folks to Harold whenever possible, and have had a good response. I wish the local theatres showed his films. I believe he would catch on with the audience of today tremendously. They just need to know & be introduced to this wonderful (mainly silent) comedian, who provides us with more than only thrills.

I was happy today as (what I believe) are more rare HL one-reelers DVD plopped by in my mail.
Titles such as “Hear ‘em Rave”, “Going going gone”, “Never Touched me”, “Chop Suey & Co”,
“Spring Fever”, “Don’t shove”, “Pay your due” and others—I have never seen them yet.

I really enjoy watching the films with Jobyna or Mildred in them. In fact, I recently discovered that I have the same birthday as Mildred!

I can’t wait until the box set arrives. To celebrate after purchasing it, while I was over at a friend’s with some other good company, I convinced her to let us watch Never Weaken and the final twenty-minute squence of Safety Last! Soon, everyone there was crowding around her laptop laughing at every gag and screaming at every clumsy near-fatal misstep on the edge of the building. They all loved it. I was very glad to see them react to it the same way I did when I first saw it.

Thanks again,
Alice

In his silent films, I really like Jobyna Ralston, but Mildred Davis was also nice. Neither will frighten you . On the otherhand they both complemented Harold very nicely. In Movie Crazy, the leading lady was Constance Cummings, and as I said she had great chemistry with Harold onscreen.
So did Jobyna in particular.

Harold was not too happy with The Sin of Harold Diddlebock. Won’t go into details here, but the filming and production was not entirely in his hands (but that of Preston Sturges, the producer and Howard Hughes (the financial backer of the film). So Harold did not have all his say on how the film should go.
In his sound movies, Feet First is another very good one. I also liked the Milky Way. Prefer both to The Cats Paw. Just my opinion.