KnotMissPriceless Why so much hype?

Console best movie i've ever seen.

Invaderbank The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

Mathilde the Guild Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

JohnHowardReid Copyright 7 April 1928 by the Harold Lloyd Corporation. New York opening at the Rivoli: 6 April 1928. U.S. release: 7 April 1928. 7,776 feet. 87 minutes. COMMENT: Quite simply, the best comedy ever made, "Speedy" is a movie that has everything: sympathetic characters, a nice love story, a thrill-a-second chase climax, and some really outstanding gags. Add to that, Babe Ruth in person (the remarkably engaging Ruth emerges as quite an accomplished actor), superb location material of New York and Coney Island in 1928, an abundance of streetcars (I love movies about streetcars), an open-ended budget, and, above all, heart (an ingredient that so many modern films miss completely)!In the 1920s, even more than today, there was enormous pressure on film-makers to surpass their previous efforts. "Speedy" was Lloyd's remarkable answer to a constant succession of hits. Starting with Safety Last in 1923, Lloyd turned out Why Worry? (also 1923), Girl Shy (1924), Hot Water (also 1924), The Freshman (1925), For Heaven's Sake (1926), The Kid Brother (1927), and Speedy (1928). Alas, as it transpired, "Speedy" became both his biggest success and his last. Like his chief competitor, Chaplin, Lloyd was unable to make the transition to talkies, but whereas Chaplin wisely put off the evil day, Lloyd tackled talkies head on, until, years later, he was forced to retire, "bloody but unbowed."Why did a formula that worked so well in silent cinema fail to achieve the same success with sound? The obvious answer is that, despite a generous sprinkling of witty sub-titles that delighted the critics and the Park Avenue set, Lloyd's appeal to the masses was primarily visual. He didn't come up with an endless succession of wisecracks like Bob Hope; or bounce tried-and-true vaudeville routines with a dumb stooge like Abbott homing in on Costello; or make faces while he sang funny songs like Danny Kaye or George Formby; or possess a well-honed retinue of repetitive dialogue phrases like Jack Benny or Laurel and Hardy or The Crazy Gang."Speedy" was actually Harold Lloyd's nick-name in real life, so it's appropriate to find him using that name in this movie. He had used it before, of course, in "The Freshman". But this character was now an entirely different "Speedy".The carefully controlled pace of the movie and the ingenious way in which the leisurely opening sequences very gradually gather speed right up to the edge-of-the-seat climax, should serve as a lesson in perfect comedy construction.A few critics (presumably not baseball fans) have complained about Babe Ruth's presence in the movie. He's superfluous, they claim. In point of fact, he's essential to the plot, as it's in the Ruth scene that we first see another side of "Speedy", the never- mind-the- consequences, go-for-it daredevil. And thus we have a second inkling of what we hope will develop into a brilliant running gag. And this is exactly what it does! Frankly, despite obvious process work and under-cranking, I doubt very much if Speedy's street chases have ever been equaled, let alone surpassed. It would be impossible to remake the movie today, even with all the wizardry of computer animation, for less than $100 million. For sheer spectacle, "Speedy" is the number one comedy of all time. All the same, I wonder if there really were a few horse-drawn trolleys still in operation in some New York neighborhoods in 1928, as the film insists. Amazing!

CJBx7 SPEEDY (1928) tells the story of Harold "Speedy" Swift (Harold Lloyd), a young man that floats from job to job while dating Jane Dillon (Ann Christy), who lives with her grandfather Pop (Bert Woodruf). Pop drives the last horse-drawn passenger carriage in New York City. Unscrupulous developers who want to use his track for a streetcar will stop at nothing to take it out from under him. Can Speedy save the day? Directed by Ted Wilde.1928 was one of the last great years in silent film. The art form had reached a technical high point thanks to such films as FW Murnau's masterpieces THE LAST LAUGH and SUNRISE, William Wellman's WINGS, and King Vidor's THE BIG PARADE, which featured sophisticated cinematography and expressive acting. Many other films benefited from these innovations, and SPEEDY is one of them. Befitting its title, it features taut editing and vivid, fluid cinematography, using many tracking shots and shots from the front or the rear of a moving vehicle. We also get a wealth of wonderful location shots that show 1920s New York City in all its glory. No cheap looking back lot sets here; everything is REAL. And it makes a huge difference. Most importantly, though, it's a hilarious movie with moments of tenderness and quite a bit of suspense. We get an outing with Babe Ruth in a speeding taxi to Yankee Stadium, and a hilarious mêlée between Civil War veterans and the unscrupulous developers, as well as genuinely exciting chases and rides to the rescue. The film makes a nice detour from the plot to show Speedy and Jane's eventful outing at Coney Island. It doesn't matter that it's not really part of the plot – it works because it establishes the characters and it's full of funny moments, like the painted fence, a persistent dog, and Lloyd's comical efforts to avoid getting his suit dirty that are nearly foiled at every turn. This movie is very, very funny, but it also has a lot of warmth too – like the scene between Speedy and Jane in the moving fan, sitting among the furniture and imagining their married life together, as well as Speedy's devotion to Jane and her grandfather.Lloyd carries the film with his trademark good-natured, can-do persona, and he doesn't overplay either – he's very restrained and realistic. He holds it all together with his somewhat bumbling yet also quite inventive character, and his relentless optimism, which appealed greatly to 20s audiences and still does today. Lloyd and Christy make a charming couple. Apparently Ann Christy only made a few more appearances, mostly in Poverty Row efforts. It's a shame she didn't have more of a career – she's very likable and effective here, an appealing heroine. Everyone in the cast does fine work in their roles. I could say more, but it's best to see it for yourself. SPEEDY hasn't gotten as much acclaim as SAFETY LAST or THE FRESHMAN, but in my opinion, as great as those two movies are, this one is even more so. A true classic. RATING: 10/10

Ron Oliver A SPEEDY young fellow races against time to save an unscrupulous syndicate from destroying the horse car line belonging to his girlfriend's grandfather.Harold Lloyd made his final silent screen appearance in this very funny movie, which solidifies his reputation as one of the greatest film stars of the era. His impeccable timing and elaborate stunts are abundantly on display and his athletic abilities, despite the severe accident suffered to his right hand some years earlier, are still honed to a razor sharpness. He makes comic mincemeat out of his stints as soda jerk & taxi driver, and whether rallying the neighborhood Civil War veterans to fight off a gang of hoodlums, or ending the film with another of his marvelous trademark chase scenes, Harold is never less than utterly hilarious.His new leading lady is played by spunky Ann Christy; they share a glorious, extended Coney Island Sunday sequence full of sight gags, high jinks & sweet romance. Elderly Bert Woodruff plays her beloved grandfather, a grumpy old coot with a heart of gold. And, for a few splendid moments, the immortal Babe Ruth finds himself uncomfortably ensconced in the back seat of Harold's taxi for a madcap dash to Yankee Stadium.Movie mavens will recognize an uncredited Josephine Crowell as the very nervous lady in a limousine who has a close encounter with Harold's runaway trolley.Rear screen projection was thankfully very rare during the silent era. What was filmed was really happening. However, it's use can be seen encroaching on the sublime reality of Harold's final chase sequence in SPEEDY. Safety factors, among other considerations, had to be accommodated.Carl Davis has composed an excellent film score which perfectly complements Harold's antics on the screen.

artroraback If you have never seen a Harold Lloyd film you owe it to yourself to see Speedy. Filmed in 1928 this was Lloyd's last silent movie and it is funny. The story revolves around "Speedy" ,an unfortunate character who has a hard time holding down a job. There are lots and lots of sight gags and slapstick humor.