Mack Sennett discovered Harry Langdon in the 19-teens, buying a film of his vaudeville act; he didn't know what to do with him. (My source for this is Frank Capra's THE NAME ABOVE THE TITLE) Capra and co-writers, Harry Edwards and Arthur Ripley helped draw Harry's character out in a series of Keystone shorts. After a couple years, Harry was offered a huge sum of money to move to First National. He took Capra, Edwards and Ripley with him to make features.
TRAMP, TRAMP, TRAMP, the first film from Harry and his First National contract, helps Capra and Co. flesh Harry's character out. In the shorts, he was a slapstick comic. Here, he's got a motive (save his dad's shoe company) by entering in a walking race; and taking their own sweet time Edwards (directing) and Capra and Ripley, have given Harry a female lead, played by Joan Crawford, who looks very sweet and innocent.
There are the requisite silent-comic situations, including placing the comic in danger at the top of a cliff. When Harry realizes Joan is looking at him, he goes through a series of "flirty" looks unused by any other comedian.
Harry Langdon's name isn't as well known as Chaplin, Keaton, or Arbuckle, but that's because those guys managed to last longer. He's worth a look-see if you like silent comedy, but he's a bit slower on the uptake than the "big three." TRAMP, TRAMP, TRAMP is a very funny movie from a very funny man who never realized what a gift he had.
TRAMP, TRAMP, TRAMP, the first film from Harry and his First National contract, helps Capra and Co. flesh Harry's character out. In the shorts, he was a slapstick comic. Here, he's got a motive (save his dad's shoe company) by entering in a walking race; and taking their own sweet time Edwards (directing) and Capra and Ripley, have given Harry a female lead, played by Joan Crawford, who looks very sweet and innocent.
There are the requisite silent-comic situations, including placing the comic in danger at the top of a cliff. When Harry realizes Joan is looking at him, he goes through a series of "flirty" looks unused by any other comedian.
Harry Langdon's name isn't as well known as Chaplin, Keaton, or Arbuckle, but that's because those guys managed to last longer. He's worth a look-see if you like silent comedy, but he's a bit slower on the uptake than the "big three." TRAMP, TRAMP, TRAMP is a very funny movie from a very funny man who never realized what a gift he had.