Girl Shy (1924)

Directors: Fred C. Newmeyer, Sam taylor

Writers: Sam Taylor, Ted Wilde, Tim Whelan, Thomas J. Gray, Harold Lloyd

Composer: Robert Israel

Starring: Harold Lloyd, Jobyna Ralston, Richard Daniels, Carlton Griffin, Sammy Brooks, Joe Cob, Jackie Condon, Mickey Daniels, Andy De Villa, Nola Dolberg, Dorothy Dorr, Betsy Ann Hisle

More info: IMDb

Tagline: The crowning achievement of the King of Mirth

Plot: Harold Meadows (Lloyd) is a shy, stuttering bachelor working in a tailor shop, who is writing a guide book for other bashful young men, "The Secret of Making Love," chapters from which are portrayed as fantasy sequences. Fate has him meet rich girl, Mary (Ralston), and they fall in love. But she is about to wed an already married man, so our hero embarks upon a hair-raising daredevil ride to prevent the wedding.

My rating: 7/10

Will I watch it again? Maybe.

If there's one thing I've noticed about Harold Lloyd's pictures is that they're full of genuine heart. They might not be a side-slapper from start to finish but Lloyd's certainly able to capture your attention and make you laugh when the time comes.  It's funny (or not) because I was going through the first disc of a HL box set and I thought this was another two-reeler. About 15 minutes in I'm not laughing much and it doesn't look like this is going to wrap up in time.  That's when I noticed this is full length feature.  It's a funny film but most of the laughs are 'cute' laughs and the big ones come at the extensive race at the end for Harold to get to the church before his beloved marries another man.  He uses every transportation means possible and it's very funny.  There's also some familiar faces for anyone who's seen some of the early OUR GANG shorts.

Joe Cobb

 Jackie Condon

Mickey Daniels

Being how this is also a Hal Roach production it was no surprise that they turn up in these eventually.  It's a treat, though, whenever they do.  I love these cats.