Event
Speedy starring Harold Lloyd
Starring Harold Lloyd, Ann Christy. Produced by Harold Lloyd. Directed by Ted Wilde. 1928, Silent, B&W, 71 mins.
With LIVE Organ Accompaniment on the Loew's Wonder Morton
It has been more than 100 years since Harold Lloyd began making people laugh in the still-new movies. A century's worth of funny films have come and gone, but Lloyd is still remembered as one of the greatest comedic performers the screen has ever known.
Lloyd was as popular in his day as Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton -- but unlike those contemporaries, his persona was not a tragi-comic character. Instead, in movie after movie he played a good looking young man, a guy-next-door Everyman, a go-getter with unwavering confidence and optimism someone 1920s audiences could easily identify with. His signature look didn't come from heavy make-up, false mustache or outlandish costume, but instead a simple pair of round horned rimmed glasses.
Lloyd is probably best known today for the now iconic "thrill sequences" of extended chase scenes and daredevil physical feats that his movies typically contained. But his films also had strong plot lines to support his character, and Lloyd surrounded himself with a crack team of gagmen who came up with endless comic bits that flowed naturally from the story.
"Speedy" was Lloyd's last silent film, and one of his most charming. Lloyd's character is as always an upbeat young man determined to make good. His girlfriend's grandfather runs the last horsecar line in New York, and the electric trolley magnates want to take over his route. The old man has to travel his route at least once every 24 hours to maintain his franchise. So the magnates hire thugs to stop him, but Lloyd has catches wind of their plot and takes over the route to protect his gal's grandfather. It's a good story with plenty of gags and typical Lloyd thrills and chases along the way including a spectacular crash that reportedly was a real accident that was incorporated into the film.
But "Speedy" has even more to recommend it: Great location filming in 1920s Manhattan, including Wall Street and Columbus Circle. And there are even more famous scenes shot in Coney Island, including Steeplechase Park and the original Luna Park. And baseball fans will enjoy a cameo by Babe Ruth, who Lloyd takes on a wild cab ride that ends at the old Yankee Stadium.
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LocationThe Landmark Loew's Jersey Theatre (View)
54 Journal Square
Jersey City, NJ 07306
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
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