Comments on: “Home”

By: Naveed

Naveed — Sun, 13 May 2012 02:22:50 +0000

But WHEN will I ever be able to get to watch Professor Beware!! Not seen it as of today (May 2012).
I have a video recorded Welcome Danger.

By: Alex gundlach

Alex gundlach — Sat, 12 May 2012 22:52:28 +0000

welcome danger on youtube today

By: Naveed

Naveed — Thu, 10 May 2012 19:54:13 +0000

I have to agree when you say that Dr Jack is one of his most under-rated shorter films. I really like it as well. Maybe one of my favourites of the shorts, along with Never Weaken and one or two others!
In Dr Jack, we had Harold as a very upbeat, positive doctor, and full of energy. Towards the end there is that delightful sequence when he pretends to be the (escapee from the neighbouring mental institution) and takes everyone in the household for a ‘chase’. I always thought he looked so realistic in that disguise, and it was certainly a cure for the (Mildred character), who forgot her inibitions and the fact she was supposed to be unwell! I must give kudos also to the (dog) actor in that sequence.

Annette or someone will probably correct me if I am wrong, but Grandmas boy (a film that Harold always loved, by the way) certainly got him a lot of attention. However it was not the film that put him in the first spot for the entire decade (the twenties). I think that came a bit later.

By: Alex gundlach

Alex gundlach — Thu, 10 May 2012 19:44:12 +0000

i agree girl shy is great film but its Not my favorite,i do really like dr. jack i find in my opinion its one of harolds most underrated movies grandmas boy is hilarious my favorite scenes are the (very funny) civil war scenes also correct me if im wrong but i believe it is the film that put harold on the number one comedian spot throughout the rest of the twenties.so send me thoughts if all possible.

alex

By: Naveed

Naveed — Wed, 09 May 2012 17:07:54 +0000

I also wanted to briefly comment on the alleged racism in Haunted Spooks. Yes the black folk are represented as servants in the film, and maybe condescendingly amusing (but then most of the characters in Harolds films are geared to amuse us). One of the black servants shaking in fear or chattering his teeth when believing a ghost to be around is hardly a racist depiction! It could have been a white person being similarly afraid.
My answer is that during that era and in those times, black folks WERE servants and given secondary status in society. In fact Harold in his films (such as Haunted spooks) portrayed them amusingly, but in no real way deregatory or in a racist manner.
Any shortcomings seen today on this aspect can be attributed to the general times. Haunted Spooks should really make no-one even today squirm in their seats over this aspect.
In the later talkie Feet First, we had that janitor in the building who was portrayed as rather stupid–Harold stuck outside the building asks him to help, and the black janitor does not seem to understand etc, and when he does cant explain properly. At one point he even puts Harold in more danger, by letting go off the hose etc.
But the fact is that Harold for the plot of the film required a dense (janitor) character. Many black folks were in reality janitors in buildings–and while not all dense!!, it was not far-fetched that one of them might have been…….again take any racial overtones as part of the era/times. And then there were many black characters that were quite ‘normal’. Such as the conductors in trains, or the black kid I mentioned in my other post.

By: Naveed

Naveed — Wed, 09 May 2012 14:04:25 +0000

Well I also enjoy the scenes with Harold in which he is totalling the cars (in his films). They have all been so hilarious. My interest is probably in the cars themselves though—I simply love looking at all the ‘classic’ automobiles of those earlier decades, and in fact go to classic car shows and auctions here in Canada whenever possible. This is one of many reasons I like “Get Down and Get Under”, for example– and some of the other films, that hightlight the cars.
But you are right, Harold has been good at the rich, uncaring character. However he has been also good in other characterisations (for example the rather upbeat, caring doctor in Dr Jack, or the shy but resolute young man in Girl Shy etc). Personally I would not think he was uniquely outstanding as the rich uncaring characteristion AS COMPARED to some of the other glass character roles.
Only the fact is that Harold is rather unique in any role he adapted in these films!
The glass character’s success was partly due to the fact that viewers could relate to the character undertaken by him–they saw it as somewhat like themselves or folks they knew in everyday life. Someone who was not larger than life, but believable.
As for GIRL SHY, I am really bordering on the view that this could be my overall favourite in the Lloyd feature films. It seems to have a lot going for it, as I already mentioned in a previous post here. The thrill chase sequence towards the end just cant be bettered for its thrills and variations. How many conveyances does Harold use? The street-car episode was so memorable. But the film also has real characterisation and gets to us emotionally through Harold and his doings. Chemistry was great between Jobyna and himself in this one. I also love Kid Brother, Safety Last, The Freshman—Girl Shy is hardly my only fav in the feature category. But it is largely under-rated out there, and I could not put it personally under any of the others.

By: whatness1924

whatness1924 — Wed, 09 May 2012 03:30:01 +0000

Might I join in? For some reason I too find Harold’s “uncaring rich guy” incredibly hilarious; it makes him so oblivious to what’s really happening. As for my favorite short, (although I love Never Weaken) I enjoy Haunted Spooks- Well, minus the rascism, which makes us squirm. What is it that makes Mr. Lloyd so brilliant at making such dark matters of suicide SO utterly funny? I crack jokes relating to these scenes with my friends from time to time (as I had forced them to sit down and watch Harold Lloyd with me…), along with my brother. Personally, though I truly love all of Harold’s work I’ve seen, I have to say that Hot Water and For Heaven’s Sake are not my favorites. Although Harold is rather funny throughout most of those, he seems a little out of it, or the storyline doesn’t quite flow. But, some of my favorite scenes are from those- Harold dealing with all those packages, him taking the new car out for a spin (and totaling it), Harold flailing about on that bus driven by the drunk friends, and him being that snotty rich guy having his car totaled, him buying a new one, and, while wearing his hub-cap helmet and cranking the new automobile, watches as it too is destroyed beyond repair by an upcoming train. Something and him about totaling cars or damaging them is hilarious. I guess that’s why I laughed so hard when another Harold Lloyd website listed in its ‘fun facts’ that when he bought his first new car, he totaled it the same day!

Anybody else think Girl Shy is a bit underrated? I adore that trolley-car bit! (Not mention, but the rest of the film is wonderfully cute to watch- and I don’t typically use the word ‘cute’.)

-Alice

By: Naveed

Naveed — Wed, 09 May 2012 01:08:49 +0000

Once again just putting my two penny worth in, so to speak. I really thought “Why Worry?” is a hilarious short film. Just the concept of Harold being in the middle of a revolution, and being absolutey unaware of that fact–in the first few sequences of the film! Also the giant person provides the ‘touching’ element for the viewer, when he is so attached to Harold after getting his tooth problem fixed (which is also hilarious).
Harold Lloyd thought highly of this film.
However he was not feeling too heavenly about “For Heavens Sake”, and considered it not –one of his best efforts. Once again I (and obviously Alex) disagree with Harold Lloyd. While it is not my favourite, I thought “For Heavens Sake” had some delicious moments. Take that scene when all the shady characters are inveigled to chase and follow Harold to the church. The ‘chase’ is very amusingly done, with several good gags–such as when they start running after the wrong guy, and Harold contrives to get them following him again! Or when he hits the police guy etc.
The idea of Harold being a rich, slightly spoilt character in this film, but then falling under the spell of his girl (Jobyna) and doing the right thing–is also worthwhile. It somehow hits us emotionally.
My only critique is that his friends would hardly kidnap him before his wedding, and the scene with his drunk friends later seems a bit contrived—amusing but not totally natural.
“Never Weaken” is actually one of my very favourites—it has a great thrill episode in my opinion.
As for “Get out and get Under” this may be rather under-rated as no-one seems to mention it too much in reviews etc. I thought it was very good.
Worth watching for Harolds antics. Also interesting for showing up the (little black actor) who later become Hal Roach’s star kid in the “Little Rascals” series. That young actor also crops up in ‘Haunted Spooks”.

By: Alex gundlach

Alex gundlach — Tue, 08 May 2012 04:20:06 +0000

my favorite of harold’s characters as annette put it “the uncaring rich guy” is so funny in my opinion his best silent films are “for heavens sake” and “why worry?” he played that character and i feel that
with that character allowed him to use the most gags while still fitting in with the storyline
i also agree with naveed on the sound film “the cats paw” and though i think its a good film
its not a great film i also agree that his best sound film is “movie crazy” so send me youre thoughts if you can.

Alex.

By: Alex gundlach

Alex gundlach — Thu, 03 May 2012 04:15:10 +0000

yes i agree his short films are great aswell “captain kidd’s kids”,”never weaken”,”get out and get under”
etc.,i just watched miss fattys seaside lovers 1915 an early role for harold before his major fame
and honestly i could hardly tell it was harold he looks so different with out the glasses
i am planning on getting the comedy collection box set i have a portable dvd player so it will be great to have harold lloyd movies wherever i go.it is also great to talk to others that are fans of harold lloyd.

Alex.