I'm just a regular fellow! - and I want you to step right up and call me 'Speedy'!#47
The Freshman
26 Points, 2 of 16 Lists, Top vote: #2 George 2.0
Harold Lamb is a sweet-hearted but niave young man on his way to college. He has big plans to become the big man on campus via imitating a film character but finds it a lot more difficult than he anticipated. Unfortunately for him, he's actually the school joke, a fact that he is blissfully unaware of. When he learns the truth, he becomes determined to win the school football game and learns that his greatest strength lies in being true to himself.
The Freshman is a wonderful silent era comedy and one that is helped by the humanity of the main character. The film wouldn't work nearly as well if the character weren't so darn easy to root for, despite his flaws. Lamb's desire to be recognized and love through trying to emulate a film star is a very relatable premise and the final game is a perfect capper to the film. Lloyd fills the character and the screen with exhuberence and optimism, it's hard not to be drawn into Lamb's quest for popularity and learning what it really means to be a big man.
George 2.0
Arguably Lloyd’s funniest picture and my personal favorite. It’s loaded with laughs, and Jobyna Ralston and Harold have such great chemistry together. I’d easily rank it as one of the greatest comedies of all time – Essential Lloyd, it is also quintessential Lloyd. It draws on sympathy as likable Lloyd is mocked by the campus hot shots as he tries so hard to fit in. Joby convinces him to be himself and tells him that she believes in him. That’s all you the setup you need to send us into the final act and the hilarious big football game where the kid who never says die, gets his chance to shine.
I like that this film isn’t one gag after another. It’s very funny, but it takes time to set up and tell a story. I think Harold might very well have influenced Keaton in this regard. Buster’s Steamboat Bill Jr. especially uses the model established by The Freshman. Set up the story, the relationships first, and then deliver the knock out ending.
Notable scene https://www.youtube.com/v/RkEfd3ZER8AIf you liked this, check out... Safety LastConsidered one of the great silent comedies, this is my favourite Lloyd film. There are wonderful gags throughout, but it's really all set up for a fantastic finally, wherein Lloyd's character must reluctantly work his way up an entire building by himself while his friend, who was supposed to do the deed, is chased by a cop. Each new level brings up another new ridiculous challenge for our hero, include the iconic and thrilling clock scene.
Trivia Harold Lloyd was 31 when he shot this movie. He had always wanted to make a football movie but never had the opportunity. When this film was in development, he thought it would be a bad idea to have him in it, because he was too old.