Max Linder is a forgotten comedian--a man who apparently strongly influenced Chaplin and other early film comics. Yet, despite his success he is mostly forgotten today--mostly because not many of his film have been saved and because Linder killed himself in the 1920s--at the prime of his career.
Like other comics, Linder did not always strike gold. Many of his earlier films are very short and lack the timing and plots of his best films. "Max Juggles for Love" clearly is a failure compared to the better films mostly because the main plot idea isn't particularly good or funny. Given a better premise, it had to be a lot better.
Max wants to marry a lady. Inexplicably she insists she won't marry him until he learns to juggle! Perhaps she was just trying to blow him off--but you are left wondering WHY! Max goes home and tries to learn but is pretty hopeless. So, he gets a brainstorm that he hopes might work...but frankly it didn't make any sense and the film ended on a flat note.
My advice is do NOT assume Linder was not funny based only on this one film. I could understand you thinking this, but he made some lovely comedies--so don't give up! At his best, he was tremendously funny.
By the way, if you'd like to see some other films by another completely forgotten comic, try finding the Charley Bowers DVD set. His films are like nothing you've seen before and you'll be left wondering why people don't remember him and his marvelous films.
Like other comics, Linder did not always strike gold. Many of his earlier films are very short and lack the timing and plots of his best films. "Max Juggles for Love" clearly is a failure compared to the better films mostly because the main plot idea isn't particularly good or funny. Given a better premise, it had to be a lot better.
Max wants to marry a lady. Inexplicably she insists she won't marry him until he learns to juggle! Perhaps she was just trying to blow him off--but you are left wondering WHY! Max goes home and tries to learn but is pretty hopeless. So, he gets a brainstorm that he hopes might work...but frankly it didn't make any sense and the film ended on a flat note.
My advice is do NOT assume Linder was not funny based only on this one film. I could understand you thinking this, but he made some lovely comedies--so don't give up! At his best, he was tremendously funny.
By the way, if you'd like to see some other films by another completely forgotten comic, try finding the Charley Bowers DVD set. His films are like nothing you've seen before and you'll be left wondering why people don't remember him and his marvelous films.
