Safety Last!

Safety Last! is a timeless black and white silent film from 1923, directed by Fred C. Newmeyer and Sam Taylor. The feature-length film stars comedian Harold Lloyd, considered one of the significant figures of early American cinema, in arguably the most iconic role of his career. Joining him are co-stars Mildred Davis, who was a renowned silent film actress and Lloyd's future wife, and Bill Strother, a real-life "human fly" known for his daredevil feats.

The narrative of Safety Last! revolves around the central character, known merely as "The Boy," played by Harold Lloyd. Despite hailing from a small town with a meagre income, The Boy remains undeterred by the big city's ruthless environment. As per the typical aspirations of the Great American Dream, he moves to this bustling metropolis with high hopes for bountiful opportunities and a better living standard. His struggle serves as a comical commentary on the universal ambition to attain success and status, coupled with young love's innocence.

The Boy's feet are barely on the ground when he lands a job as a salesclerk in a department store. While he's not making as much money as he had initially hoped, he continues to convey images of success and wealth to his girlfriend back home, aptly named "The Girl" and played endearingly by Mildred Davis. Sweet and naïve, The Girl is deluded into believing that The Boy is much more successful and affluent than the reality.

In his relentless pursuit to maintain this facade, The Boy comes across an idea to win a thousand-dollar prize by contriving a publicity stunt for his workplace. He arranges for his roommate, "The Pal," played by Bill Strother, who used to scale buildings in real life and displays his talents in the movie, to climb the department store building as a crowd-puller for the store. Things take a dramatic and hilarious turn when The Boy ends up having to make the climb himself due to a series of unfortunate events.

Safety Last! is most renowned for the iconic scene where Harold Lloyd is seen dangling from the hands of a large clock, a blockbuster moment that concurrently induces nail-biting suspense and uncontrollable laughter. This notorious sequence has been ingrained in the annals of movie history and is often a standout reference point when discussing silent films or early movie comedy.

While undeniably a comedy, Safety Last! is also a quintessential representation of the 1920s era, offering a tangible representation of the life and times of that period. The film very accurately portrays the hopes, dreams and perils of an everyday individual during that decade, wrapped in a comedic undertone. Safety Last! is a mix of social commentary and slapstick humor, which makes it an important and entertaining chapter in the history of silent cinema.

Lloyd's narrative style, embedded with humor and danger, provides the perfect reigns to control the movie's pace. His comedic timing and detailed facial expressions, devoid of spoken word, enable the audience to feel the tension and laugh at the absurdity at the same time. The perfect blend of Lloyd's characteristically high-energy acting and the directors’ critical understanding of silent films are what make this movie a timeless classic.

Harold Lloyd, often standing in the gigantic shadows cast by Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, delivered a performance in Safety Last! that firmly places him amongst the greats of early comedic cinema. Lloyd’s fearless stunts, carried out without a double, are equally impressive and alarming, especially knowing that in real life, Lloyd had lost several fingers in a previous accident.

The beauty of Safety Last! lies in its simplicity yet profound message. The film underscores the value of determination, grit, and even the occasional bending of truth for love, all executed with a sense of light-hearted humor and awe-inspiring stunts.

In conclusion, Safety Last! is a film that transcends the limitations of a silent movie. It's a timeless classic that offers an engaging peek through the lens into the life and times of the early 20th century, showcasing Harold Lloyd at the height of his comedic prowess. Through iconic scenes, heartwarming romance, humor and suspense, Safety Last! has carved itself a place in the world's cinematic history.