Ask Father (1919)

Director: ???

Writer: H.M. Walker

Composer: Robert Israel

Starring: Harold Lloyd, Snub Pollard, Bebe Daniels

More info: IMDb

Plot: Lloyd is a serious young middle-class guy on the make, who wants to marry the boss’ daughter. The problem is getting in to see the boss so that he can ask for her hand in marriage; the office is guarded by a bunch of comic, clumsy flunkies who throw everyone out who tries to get in. When Lloyd gets into the boss’ office, the latter uses trap doors and conveyor belts to expel him; Lloyd then goes to the costume company next door, tries to get in wearing drag (no success), and then in medieval armor – that works, since he bangs everyone over the head with his club, but then he finds out that the daughter has eloped with another suitor. Lloyd decides to be sensible and he settles for the cute switchboard operator (Daniels) instead.

My rating: 7.5/10

Will I watch it again? Yes.

I forgot to mention it on yesterday's Harold Lloyd post but the newly written scores for these by Robert Israel are outstanding and some of the best I've heard (if not THE best).  These Harold Lloyd shorts are hilarious.  This one's got a great bit with a conveyor belt that had me laughing.  One thing I like about Lloyd (and Keaton, etc) is that there's so much going on.  It's relentless in its pacing.  I know they're only 20 minutes long but they fly by.  The physical comedy is a lot of fun and I admire the work that goes into every aspect of these comedies.