We had a similar thread on the CFB a while back (I think Strelnikoff started it).
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spiderwort — 6 years ago(August 23, 2019 10:28 PM)
Oh, yes! His death stopped the world. The next time that happened was with James Dean.
That said, I'm not really familiar with his work. In fact, I don't think I've seen one of his films, only clips. I need to remedy that one of these days. Same with Ramon Navarro. -
phantomparticle — 5 years ago(May 12, 2020 12:39 AM)
The reason you seldom, if ever, saw a Harold Lloyd movie on television or in a revival house is because Lloyd believed that audiences in the 1960's and 1970's held silent movies in derision (and there was much truth to that).
He owned all his features and only released them to museums for selected showings. After his death in 1971, the collection went to his daughter. When they looked at the movies they were nearly in pristine condition. The actor was fanatical about taking care of them, even though few people were ever going to see them in his lifetime.
Lloyd's daughter finally struck a deal to re-master and release them on dvd a few years ago. The man's entire collection of silent and sound features, plus the shorts he had done prior to 1920 are included in the collection, along with hours and hours of extras, new music scores and a documentary on Lloyd. It's an astounding body of work.
The most famous image of the actor is, of course the clock. That one moment and the lack of access to his movies for so long gained him a reputation as a daredevil, but he was so much more than a stunt artist. He was a genius in the art of the gag and a brilliant actor who could turn comedy to drama and back in the blink of an eye.
Only three comedians of the silent screen have been universally hailed by critics and fans with the appellation "genius", Chaplin and Keaton and Lloyd. The movies in the box set conclusively prove why Lloyd deserves every word of such praise.
While
Safety Last
is considered his magnum opus, my favorite is
The Kid Brother
, released with a beautiful score by Carl Davis, in which Lloyd proves that not only was he one of the most gifted comedians of all time, but a strong dramatic actor, as well.
If I seem overly effusive about Harold Lloyd, you will probably better understand it after you have seen a few of his movies.
The man who feared his movies would be laughed at instead of laughed with would be surprised to learn just how much they are admired today by a new generation of fans, one hundred years after they were made.
Thank you, Harold Lloyd, wherever you are.
And This, Too, Shall Pass Away -
phantomparticle — 5 years ago(June 09, 2020 09:52 PM)
I highly recommend watching
The Kid Brother
. Carl Davis's beautiful score will bring tears to your eyes.
While
Safety Last
is the favorite among most Lloyd fans,
The Kid Brother
is his best overall work. The showdown with the main villain is surprisingly long and violent for a comedy of that period. And it also has my favorite Lloyd co-star, Jobyna Ralston.
And This, Too, Shall Pass Away -
spiderwort — 6 years ago(September 05, 2019 02:53 PM)
I know that D.W. Griffith was an actor, started out as one in the theatre, in fact. But I don't believe that F.W. Murnau ever was (one of my favorite directors, btw). Could you perhaps be thinking of someone else? Or do you know something about Murnau that I don't? If you do, I'd love to know. Thanks.