Harold Lloyd is remembered (or, perhaps more accurately, has been forgotten) as the third genius of silent comedy behind Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin. Safety Last!, the most famous Harold Lloyd feature, is built from the same components: the unnamed protagonist of humble origins, devoted to a single love interest, who stumbles his way from one sight gag to the next. Lloyd’s bespectacled screen persona displays neither Chaplin’s comedic charm nor Keaton’s physical mastery. Nevertheless, Safety Last still manages to cements its legacy with one unforgettable set piece. Lloyd the actor compensates for his shortcomings by putting his own life and limb at risk to please his audience. At the same time, his character does precisely the same thing to impress his girl. Unable to climb the proverbial corporate ladder, Lloyd ends up with no choice but to climb a 12-story department store with his bare hands. The stunt work impresses, even when the comedy and storytelling do not.
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