Harold Lloyd: the Definitive Collection [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.

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.

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