HAROLD LLOYD goes through a whole series of funny happenings that could only happen to an actor as talented as he was (and Buster Keaton and other silent greats). And yet they all come about because he mistakenly believes his girl is going to marry someone else.
Desolate, he decides to think of quick ways to commit suicide, inspired by a newspaper headline that tells of two youths who killed themselves when they lost their sweethearts. His plans backfire, of course, but before you know it a construction boom has lifted his office chair out the window with him sitting on it, thinking he's been shot by a stunt he rigged up to have a gun go off when someone opened the door.
What ensues is the cleverest bit of physical comedy you can imagine, with Lloyd getting himself into sky high trouble when he makes an attempt to walk the construction beams which seem to be in a conspiracy against him. It's the funniest half of the short comedy--and one can see why he was so revered as a silent comedian.
The ultra busy soundtrack has a musical score (I saw this on TCM), but like many scores accompanying silent films, it's almost too much of a good thing. After awhile I dodged for the mute button.
Amazing to see what clever stunts he was capable of, even in his comedy shorts.
Desolate, he decides to think of quick ways to commit suicide, inspired by a newspaper headline that tells of two youths who killed themselves when they lost their sweethearts. His plans backfire, of course, but before you know it a construction boom has lifted his office chair out the window with him sitting on it, thinking he's been shot by a stunt he rigged up to have a gun go off when someone opened the door.
What ensues is the cleverest bit of physical comedy you can imagine, with Lloyd getting himself into sky high trouble when he makes an attempt to walk the construction beams which seem to be in a conspiracy against him. It's the funniest half of the short comedy--and one can see why he was so revered as a silent comedian.
The ultra busy soundtrack has a musical score (I saw this on TCM), but like many scores accompanying silent films, it's almost too much of a good thing. After awhile I dodged for the mute button.
Amazing to see what clever stunts he was capable of, even in his comedy shorts.