*** Spoiler alert *** In reading the other reviews of this movie, I realize that I am not up to snuff on silent movies or Harold Lloyd. I have only seen a couple of his films and they were so long ago I can't remember their names. But he left an impression, and when I saw that American Movie Classics was showing his first talkie along with Buster Keaton's first talkie (Free and Easy) in tandem, why I had to make time for them. It was one of my most enjoyable evenings in a while.
The first real revelation to me in this movie was the young Barbara Kent. Ohmygod is she a doll in this - bubbly, energetic, pixie-ish, and with a very delightful voice. Yes, her character is monumentally dumb for taking Lloyd's abusive treatment up until the moment he realizes she is the young lady in his double-exposed quickie photo that he has become enamored of. But she was a true delight to discover. I'd never even heard her name before.
As a sidelight, I discovered tonight that she is also still alive, at least as of earlier this year (2007). She is now 100 years old, and living in Sun Valley, Idaho, apparently. I'd like her to know she is still winning fans and admirers even at this late date.
As for Lloyd and the rest of the picture, it was quite a bit similar other films I've seen of the era, yet quite a bit better. I enjoyed his Harry-Potter-like characterization, Bledsoe's ability to call on luck, pluck and sharp mind to get through scrapes. It actually hearkened to a Jack Armstrong view of young men that - at least in Hollywood - seemed to abound in that time period. That he would win out in the end and get the girl seemed to be taken for granted by the film makers of the era, who had only to show how it was accomplished. With Billie (Ms Kent) as both his encourager and his goal, it was a delight to watch him Bledsoe fight through to the end.
I hope to have the opportunity to see many more of Lloyd's films, and especially to find more films with Barbara Kent.
I agree with those whose reviews admired how well Lloyd adapted to talkies. I was apprised before the film started of the fact that some of this was filmed silently and then dubbed over, so I could not be critical of that aspect. I can imagine and appreciate the newness they all faced, and the shifting of gears necessary. For a transition film, I thought this was an ace - not perfect, but tackling it head on and letting the chips fall where they may. I liked the story line, and did not think - like others have stated - that it was too long.
The first real revelation to me in this movie was the young Barbara Kent. Ohmygod is she a doll in this - bubbly, energetic, pixie-ish, and with a very delightful voice. Yes, her character is monumentally dumb for taking Lloyd's abusive treatment up until the moment he realizes she is the young lady in his double-exposed quickie photo that he has become enamored of. But she was a true delight to discover. I'd never even heard her name before.
As a sidelight, I discovered tonight that she is also still alive, at least as of earlier this year (2007). She is now 100 years old, and living in Sun Valley, Idaho, apparently. I'd like her to know she is still winning fans and admirers even at this late date.
As for Lloyd and the rest of the picture, it was quite a bit similar other films I've seen of the era, yet quite a bit better. I enjoyed his Harry-Potter-like characterization, Bledsoe's ability to call on luck, pluck and sharp mind to get through scrapes. It actually hearkened to a Jack Armstrong view of young men that - at least in Hollywood - seemed to abound in that time period. That he would win out in the end and get the girl seemed to be taken for granted by the film makers of the era, who had only to show how it was accomplished. With Billie (Ms Kent) as both his encourager and his goal, it was a delight to watch him Bledsoe fight through to the end.
I hope to have the opportunity to see many more of Lloyd's films, and especially to find more films with Barbara Kent.
I agree with those whose reviews admired how well Lloyd adapted to talkies. I was apprised before the film started of the fact that some of this was filmed silently and then dubbed over, so I could not be critical of that aspect. I can imagine and appreciate the newness they all faced, and the shifting of gears necessary. For a transition film, I thought this was an ace - not perfect, but tackling it head on and letting the chips fall where they may. I liked the story line, and did not think - like others have stated - that it was too long.