- Format: PAL
- Language English
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3 - 1.33:1
- Number of discs: 9
- Classification: U
- Studio: Optimum Home Releasing
- DVD Release Date: 9 July 2007
- Run Time: 1746 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B000N3T2DA
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DVD Description
Harold Lloyd was one of the great comic stars of the cinema, a genius on a par with Chaplin and Keaton. Born in Burchard, Nebraska, on April 20, 1893 Lloyd was acting at an early age with theatrical repertory companies. He made his film debut as an extra in a 1913 one-reel film for the Edison Film Company. He became friends with another extra, Hal Roach, and when Roach formed his own film company, he invited Lloyd to join him.
Lloyd’s initial comic characterization was a tramp character called Willie Work. After a series of partings over money and subsequent reconciliations, Roach and Lloyd created a new character, called Lonesome Luke, which became popular, despite Lloyd’s dislike of imitating Charlie Chaplin, which the film distributor, Pathé, demanded.
Then Lloyd found the idea that was to become his trademark, and change him from a good comedian to a major star: the glasses. Lloyd persuaded Roach and his distributor to abandon Lonesome Luke and in 1917 Lloyd shed grotesque comedy clothes and characterizations for a pair of horn-rimmed glasses. In doing so, Lloyd created an American archetype, an optimistic and determined go-getter sporting spectacles and a toothy smile.
Lloyd retained the “Glass Character” (as Lloyd called his comic persona) throughout the rest of his motion picture career, which spanned 34 years and over 200 comedies. Among his most famous films are Grandma's Boy (1922), Safety Last! (1923), The Freshman (1925), The Kid Brother (1927), Speedy (1928), and Movie Crazy (1932), all included here amongst many other gems in this most comprehensive of collections.
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital Stereo ), English ( Mono ), SPECIAL FEATURES: Black & White, Box Set, Featurette, Interactive Menu, Multi-DVD Set, Photo Gallery, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: Harold Lloyd was one of the great comic stars of the cinema, a genius on a par with Chaplin and Keaton. Born in Burchard, Nebraska, on April 20, 1893 Lloyd was acting at an early age with theatrical repertory companies. He made his film debut as an extra in a 1913 one-reel film for the Edison Film Company. He became friends with another extra, Hal Roach, and when Roach formed his own film company, he invited Lloyd to join him. Lloyd's initial comic characterization was a tramp character called Willie Work. After a series of partings over money and subsequent reconciliations, Roach and Lloyd created a new character, called Lonesome Luke, which became popular, despite Lloyd's dislike of imitating Charlie Chaplin, which the film distributor, Pathé, demanded. Then Lloyd found the idea that was to become his trademark, and change him from a good comedian to a major star: the glasses. Lloyd persuaded Roach and his distributor to abandon Lonesome Luke and in 1917 Lloyd shed grotesque comedy clothes and characterizations for a pair of horn-rimmed glasses. In doing so, Lloyd created an American archetype, an optimistic and determined go-getter sporting spectacles and a toothy smile. Lloyd retained the 'Glass Character' (as Lloyd called his comic persona) throughout the rest of his motion picture career, which spanned 34 years and over 200 comedies. Among his most famous films are Grandma's Boy (1922), Safety Last! (1923), The Freshman (1925), The Kid Broth...Harold Lloyd - Definitive Collection - 9-DVD Box Set ( Safety Last! / An Eastern Westerner / Girl Shy / The Cat's-Paw / The Milky Way / Why Worry? / Dr. Jack / Feet First / The Kid Brother / Bumping Into Broadway / Billy Blazes, Esq. / Hot
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
201 of 202 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Re-discover a comedy genius!,
By
This review is from: Harold Lloyd Collection [DVD] (DVD)
When I was a kid there used to be 20 minute compilations of Harold LLoyd movies...on BBC2 I think. I remember them cropping up during school holidays. Maybe you remember them too? "Hooray for Harold Lloyd!" went the memorable theme tune. Although looking back, I don't think I had a proper appreciation of the talent on show, I really do remember enjoying these short programmes of clips. So much so, that Lloyd's name and image stayed with me from those days (20+ years ago).
From time to time over more recent years I have logged into Amazon and other sites on the off-chance of finding his material on DVD. Having read the rave reviews of the American release of this collection I looked forward to the British release. In the meantime I bought Jeffrey Vance's book (which is outstandingly good). My appetite well and truly whetted, I pre-ordered this collection. Imagine my frustration when the release was put back from May to July! Anyway, it was worth the wait! Having already accumulated knowledge about Harold Lloyd (through the afformentioned book) I have begun to properly discover the immense talent within this fascinating man. The films contained in this collection are not all great, but all are enjoyable. The Freshman, Speedy, Girl Shy, Grandma's Boy, Safety Last, The Kid Brother, Dr. Jack...I could go on but his best features stand comparison with anything produced then or since. The sight gags and visual humour are absolutley timeless in my opinion and you will laugh out-loud, believe me. The shorts move at a generally quicker pace and contain some wonderful sequences. The features appear to me to have been very carefully crafted and many allow space for Lloyd to develop character elements very satisfyingly. Lloyd was a good actor and arguably more versatile than his contemporaries; his "glasses" character allowed him great freedom and his characters appear natural within their stroylines. Having now read lots about Lloyd I think it is fair to say he was not a "funny man" as such. I think his contribution transcended a particular role or function; everything was agreed and approved by him; ownership of the films was his; the risks were his own, as were the rewards. The extra features in this collection are all worthwhile...some of the home movies are delightful. Harold Lloyd emerges, in my opinion, as a great and interesting man, clearly loved by those that knew him. Technically, the films here are somewhat variable; picture quality is never anything less than acceptable and is often exteremely good. The music works very well indeed and complements the images rather than distracting from them. I cannot recommend this collection highly enough. I think informed opinion now places him amongst the ranks of the very best film-makers. To understand why, buy this box-set! Thanks for reading.
63 of 63 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent collection,
By
This review is from: Harold Lloyd Collection [DVD] (DVD)
This box includes most of Harold Lloyd's work dating from 1919-1932 (I dare to say: all the important silent features). As the films are unfortunately not arranged chronologically on the discs, these are the titles:
Ask Father, released 09.02.1919 Billy Blazes, Esq., 06.07.1919 Bumping Into Broadway, 02.11.1919 From Hand to Mouth, 28.12.1919 Haunted Spooks, 14.03.1920 An Eastern Westerner, 02.05.1920 High and Dizzy, 11.07.1920 Get Out and Get Under, 12.09.1920 Number, Please?, 26.12.1920 Now or Never, 27.03.1921 Among Those Present, 29.05.1921 I Do, 11.09.1921 Never Weaken, 22.10.1921 A Sailor-Made Man, 25.12.1921 Grandma's Boy, 20.05.1922 Safety Last!, 01.04.1923 Why Worry?, 02.09.1923 Girl Shy, 20.04.1924 Hot Water, 26.10.1924 The Freshman, 20.09.1925 For Heaven's Sake, 04.04.1926 Dr. Jack, 26.11.1926 The Kid Brother, 22.01.1927 Speedy, 07.04.1928 Welcome Danger, 12.10.1929 Feet First, 08.11.1930 Movie Crazy, 12.08.1932 The Cat's-Paw, 30.07.1934 The Milky Way, 07.02.1936 The restauration of some of the better known films is just amazing and most of the music added is pretty good. The special features are often good as well.
91 of 93 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hooray For Harold Lloyd!,
This review is from: Harold Lloyd Collection [DVD] (DVD)
This set is wonderful probably the best collection of silent films available!
It includes ALL Lloyd's silent feature films as well the first 5 of his 7 sound films along with a very generous selection of his shorts. There are commentaries on Safety Last, The Kid Brother, The Freshman, Speedy & Haunted Spooks. There are lots of other extras these consist; Mini Biographies Harolds Hollywood Greenacres Home Movies Leonard Matlin Featurette Remembering Harold Featurette Keep 'Em Rolling Featurette Finding Harold Featurette USC Gala Dinner AFI Seminar Old Gold Comedy Theatre City Of LA Fiesta Parade Promo World Of Comedy Trailer Social Security In Action The Academy Awards of 1957 Introduction to THE FRESHMAN Memories, Secrets and Gags Image Galleries The Works Of Harold Lloyd The Scores for the silent films have mostly been done by the incomparable Carl Davis and the great Robert Israel and are all wonderful. This set is basically the UK release of "The Harold Lloyd Comedy Collection" which was a region 1 release but this set also contains Harold's first sound film "Welcome Danger" which is not on the region 1 set
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