Comment below to write your thoughts about the film. When you do so, remember that to get full points, you need to write at least 3 paragraphs and follow all of the instructions below:
Answer BOTH of the following questions:
- What are two moments of this film that you feel are very emblematic of Harold Lloyd's style? Explain.
- Do you feel this film is more like Thomas Edison's films or more like the Lumiere brothers' films? Why?
Now, also answer TWO of the following questions:
- Harold Lloyd was a very successful filmmaker. That means that people must of liked his films. Why do you think people in Harold Lloyd's time liked his movies so much?
- If one of your best friends were going to watch this film, what would you tell your friend ahead of time to help him or her to appreciate it?
- What did you like most about this movie? What did you like least? Why?
- What was your favorite scene from the movie? Why?
- Were there any moments when you found the cinematography, editing, use of "Show, Don't Tell", or storytelling to be particularly well done? If so, describe the moment and explain what about it was awesome!
- Do you strongly agree or disagree with anything anyone has said already in the comments? If so, respond to them in a very civil and loving manner and give three reasons to back up your opinion.
(If you were not in class the day we watched this film then you can find it on your own and watch it or watch any other feature length movie starring Harold Lloyd. If you watch another feature by Harold, tell us in your comments which one it was and follow the instructions above in regards to that feature when you write your post.)
This movie was really good. I thought it was really funny. Josh is my homedog.
ReplyDeleteI feel the first moment of Harold Lloyd was when he got trapped in the towel supply truck because things seem to always go wrong for Harold, this moment just seemed to pop out to me. The other moment was when Harold and his wife were in the department store and he was trying to not be exposed to not being the boss or general manager. This moment also was one of his defining moments I feel because once again, things always seem to go wrong for him.
ReplyDeleteI think this was more of a Lumiere brothers film, Edison kept his recorder in a room and brought things to him where the Lumiere brothers went and recorded stuff. Their was also parts where it got close ups and I feel Edison didn't really do that. He just put what was brought to him in front of the camera and boom done. My favorite scene from this film was probably when Harold was climbing the building and kept almost falling and had several distractions making him almost fall. I also had another favorite scene. The part where Harold and his wife are in the general managers office then Harold makes it look and sounds like she's fainted and has the actual general manager fetch some water.
What I liked most about this movie was the fact that horrible things just kept happening to him. Even things that would most likely never happen to anyone the way it did for Harold. At the same time I didn't like that though just bad thing after bad thing. It seemed a little unrealistic even though it is a movie and bad things do happen to people. I don't know, I liked it but at the same time I didn't. Overall though this movie was great! I liked it a lot and the crazy old style of black and white is just classicly great.
Zac, I think it's awesome that you submitted this response so early! I imagine that doing so helped you to answer the questions more easily since you replied the same day that you saw the film (so you could remember it more easily).
DeleteYou did a good job of writing three paragraphs and making sure that each paragraph was a good, complete, long paragraph. I also appreciated the way that you answered the two required questions and two of the other questions as well.
Your answers show that you understand the filmmaking styles of Thomas Edison and the Lumiere Brothers.
I would love to have a little more explanation behind your answer as to what your favorite scene was. I'd like to know why you liked these two scenes so much.
The two moments of Safety Last that I think captured Harold Lloyds style started with simply doing all of these ridiculous things so that this girl will marry him. He got dangerously close to losing his job multiple times to impress her. That kind of goes along with his charming and nerdy style. And Another moment that goes along with his charm is when he gets the idea to make the $1,000. He grabs her and twirls her all excitedly, and tells her that they'll be married the next day.
ReplyDeleteI think this film was more like Thomas Edison's films. Instead of this film just being as if its filming random things, there is actors. In the Lumiere brothers films, they recorded random things instead of having actors. This film was also filmed on a set instead of out in the open world. I think people like Harold Lloyd's films because they're entertaining. This film was actually really funny, and it had a pretty good story line as well.
If I were to have a friend of mine watch this film, I would first of all tell them to keep an open mind. Just because a film is in black and white doesn't make it boring. Just because a film is silent, does not make it hard to be entertained by. I thought I was gunna hate it quite honestly, but I liked it, it was funny. Tedious at times, but still it was great.
/Erin Allgood Period 2
Erin, I like how specific you were in your first paragraph. You did a good job of describing the exact moments that demonstrated Harold Lloyd's charm for you. Good work.
DeleteYour second paragraph shows that you understand the style of the Lumiere brothers compared to Edison. I love how you and Zac had differing opinions regarding whether this film was more like a Lumiere or more like an Edison but both of you explained your opinions well.
Good job writing three full paragraphs, answering the two required questions, and answering two of the additional questions. You followed the instructions exactly.
Two moments would be when he was on top of the building and almost kept falling off. It was really funny. And then he was like hella happy when that girl like caught him or whatever. It was cute though. This was more like the lumierre brothers because they brought the camera where they wanted instead of keeping it in a room and just filming random things.
ReplyDeleteI think people liked his films because they were funny, entertaining, and he just doesn't hold himself back.
What I liked most about this movie was that there were always things happening. That's how a lot of silent movies were is as long as the camera was rolling something is happening. A lot of movies now a days have like just random things that seem like they're just trying to make it longer but all of the scenes in old movies were like constantly doing something on screen so you wouldn't get like bored.
DeleteGood work, Patience, with answering all of the questions. I think it's fun to read how you find "Safety Last" to be less boring than modern movies. So many people would assume that "old = boring" but you've made a good argument as to why that is not true for you in this case.
DeleteYou have two good-sized paragraphs here. Give me one more. By writing three paragraphs, it will help make sure that you're giving plenty of explanation behind each thing you write (which will, in turn, ideally help you to think more even deeply about the film—not meant to be busy work but an exercise in thinking deeply and defending opinions).
The first moment in Safety Last that introduced us to his style was in the first moments. Starting the shot with Harold behind bars and a rope that made the viewer to think that he's a criminal and he's about to be hung. Very funny, the reveal that came afterwards was gold. The second moment was when he goes away on the train telling his girlfriend that he's going to be very successful in the city. He's her hero.
ReplyDeleteI think that his films mostly leaned on the Lumiere Brothers style. He brought a pretty big event to people. It was like a Live Event. A spectacular most wouldn't be able to see because they weren't at the location to see it. That's similar to what the Lumiere Brothers did. They brought footage to people who without the film wouldn't be able to see.
I believe that he became a very successful film maker because he knew how to make us care about his character. We wanted him to make it through his lie. We wanted him to make it to the top without eating the pavement. If he made me feel this nowadays, I can't even imagine what people back then felt like when they watched this movie. Which is why the scene when he climbs the building is my favorite. It made me scared for him of falling. Any movie that allows me to share a feeling with the character is great in my opinion.
/Gerson Monago
Good work, Gerson, writing three, full paragraphs. I agree with you about Harold Lloyd having a strong ability to help people care about his character. Harold really is an everyman in so many ways. The underdog nature of his character helps us see ourselves in him and helps us want to root for him. And if we want him to win, then we're invested and if we're invested, we're going to have a good time watching it. Thanks for helping me to see this better than I had before.
DeleteThe term for "feeling with the character" that we use in film theory is empathy. Just FYI. I thought you might want to know a good term to use in future writings.
Good work answering the two required questions. I only see an answer to one of the other questions. I wanted answers to two of the others. Feel free to add another paragraph by replying to this. Then, you can add an answer to another question (or correct me if I missed an answer you already provided).
I agree with you that the moment with the reveal with the rope at the beginning is gold. Please elaborate on why you found that moment to be particularly Harold-Lloyd-esc.
Thanks Josh. I actually did answer all of them, The last paragraph has two answers in it. Why i think he became successful in the film industry and my Favorite scene.
DeleteI think that the rope scene is very Harold-Lloyd-esc in the way the comedy was played out. In a way it reflects most of the movie, Lloyd visually lies to us in the first moments and throughout the movie he lies to his girlfriend.
Cool. Thanks for clarifying.
DeleteOne moment was when Harold Lloyd was hanging from the big clock when he was climbing the building. He had to climb a big building and during that he had to get over a big clock that was falling apart. The other moment that was emblematic to me was when he pretended to be the general. He pretended to do many things to impress his wife.
ReplyDeleteI think it is more like Thomas Edison's films because Thomas Edison made his own films like the boxing cat film. The Lumiere brothers went to other places and just filmed random things and brought them back home for everyone to see. so i would go with Thomas Edison's films. He made his movies with actors. Harold Lloyd filmed on a set like how Thomas Edison did.
If me and my best friend went to watch this movie, i would tell them that this is a really funny movie and to just try looking at the story its telling instead of the black and white. I would say never judge a book by its cover. I know that my friends would love this movie because they love funny movies.
My favorite scene from the movie was at the end and he hit his head and he almost fell off multiple times. I liked a lot of parts in this movie, like when he was falling off the clock, and when they pushed the officer down. I found it really funny and i loved this movie.
Four paragraphs! Above and beyond the requirements. That's awesome. Good work following the instructions by answering the two required questions and two other questions.
DeleteI think your advice you'd give your friends is good advice. If people can just get past the stigma against black-and-white/silent films, I think most people would find SAFETY LAST to be pretty darn hilarious.
Can you elaborate a little more on your answer in the first paragraph. I like that you pointed out specific moments in the film that you feel are emblematic of Harold Lloyd's style. Now, tell me what about them is the sort of thing that Harold is famous for.
the two moment of harolds style were both when he was climbing the building, one was when we grabbed the rope and he was slowly sliding of as they pulled him up and the finnally he fell off, but then quickly grabbed onto a brick of the building. the second was when he reached the top of the building and had many lucky chances with that thing that was spinning and then hit him on the head, then he stumbled around nearly fall off the building, and it leaves you on the edge of your seat!
ReplyDeleteif i had to say, i would think that it is more like the lumiere brothers films rather than edisons, just because the fact it wasnt filmed in a studio, it was film in an actual city.
If my friend were to watch this movie i would tell him to watch it all the way through and to pay a hundred percent attention to it because even though it is black and white it is still one of the greatest silent films ever made in my opinion. And that it is also a great part of history of film and we wouldnt have modern day movies if it werent for these early age films.
I think why people in mr. lloyds time liked his movies so much, must be why our time likes movies nowadays. it is because they were pack full of action and ecitment and his movies allways have a good story line. even today of all the cgi we have now, i was still gasping at all those time he slipped and nearly fell.
all in all this was a great movie one of the greatest ive seen in a long time and i think a lot of sensible people now would appreciate and enjoy this fantastic film!
-Liam Wood period 2
I like your comparison between this film and modern CGI films. I don't know if a film made now could have quite the same effect as one experiences watching the climbing the building sequence. If that were to happen in a film now, I imagine that we wouldn't be as worried for the character because we are conditioned to assume that everything we see is CGI. CGI has given us some pretty awesome special effects but has also taken away some of the magic of cinema, unfortunately.
DeleteGood work writing more than 3 paragraphs. And good work answering all of the questions and saying even more than that. I love that you went the extra mile in this way!
ReplyDeleteThis apple is not three paragraphs long nor does it answer any of the questions. It does not meet the standard. In fact, it is an abomination.
DeleteSafety Last!
ReplyDeleteOne of Harold Lloyd’s indicative acting styles is being charming in a nerdy kind of way. In Safety Last! Harold Lloyd definitely lives up to this by using large quirky expressions and idea’s to achieve his goals. One example of this is when he pretends to be a mannequin and changing the time on the clock so his clock in time isn’t registered late. Or when Harold Lloyd and and Bill Strother hide in the coats is a very stylastic of his comedy.
I liked this film a lot because of the silliness and light hearted comedy. Today’s comedy is usually really raunchy, which i don’t particularly mind, but seeing just classic silliness has a very simple elegance to it. I think people in the early 1900’s enjoyed Mr. Lloyd’s films because he has multiple plot points in the film and it creates craziness without it being overwhelming or too hard to follow.
On one hand in the films you have the silliness and light hearted comedy like the mannequin or crawling along side a cart to avoid Westcott Clarke only to be caught. And then you have the romantic and relatable element. Underdog wants to impress the pretty girl so he pretends to be a big shot only to have it backfire in his face. And of course you have the dare devil stunts. Although the film was made like Edison's first films and a majority of the climbing scenes were done in a studio with a projected images behind him. But if you put that thought in the back of your head, Harold Lloyd climbing a skyscraper and dangling from a broken clock is pretty intense and really puts you at the edge of your seat. Harold Lloyd gives his audience a little taste of just about everything and that’s why I think Mr. Lloyd’s continue to be a film legend and adored by people everywhere.
-Taylor Jo Conder
I really like how articulate you were in answering the question about moments that were indicative of Harold Lloyd's style. You stated what aspect of Lloyd's style you were going to focus on and then described in good detail what moments of the film lived up to that style.
DeleteI appreciate your comparison between the eloquent silliness of silent comedy and the raunchy comedy today. I had not thought of it quite like that before. Thanks for helping me consider new things.
Good work following the instructions by writing three good-sized paragraphs and also answering all the questions required.
Harold Lloyd, as an actor, has a very distinct style. All of the stunts scream Lloyd. The way that he is able to tell a story so well without saying anything also shows his fabulous style. (I know all other silent film actors do this too-just not all as well as him) The comedic way he portrays the romance in the film is my favourite.
ReplyDeleteI personally believe that Safety Last! leans towards the style of Edison’s films, rather than the Lumiere Brothers’. Edison’s movies have more of a storyline and plot, while the lovely Lumiere’s style is more documentative (if I can use that as an adjective). Safety Last! obviously has a story line, so, Edison it is.
Okay. Question time. How would you not like Lloyd’s films?? Of course they would be so successful- they’re amazing! The acting, the storylines, all of it. The comedy (specifically the comedic romance), especially for that time, is really great. I love how you can get your message across without saying anything.
Oh no! Is he going to fall off? Will he make it? Can he get to the top?
You’re a doofus if you’re favourite scene isn’t Lloyd dangling off the side of the building, holding onto the clock hand. It’s cinematic perfection.
-Emma Müller
--Josh is my home-dog.
I love it when people invent words in a way that conveys useful meaning. Good work!
DeleteGood work answering all of the questions and writing more than 3 paragraphs. I also enjoyed the voice you employed in this blog. Rather than just say what you think in a boring way, you tried to employ wit and humor. I appreciate that. It makes it more fun for me to read all these comments!
I would like a little more explanation in the first paragraph. You say that the actor has a distinct style. Tell us what that style is like. Then, when you tell us that the stunts scream Lloyd, tell us what about them is very Lloyd-like.
-Josh Wagner
--Emma Müller is my home-dog.
Harold Lloyd has a very distinct style of filmmaking he is a “good” guy he always seems to get himself into trouble. Either it’s missing the train or climbing up a building. There’s always trouble when he around. This film leans towards Thomas Edison's way of film making because it’s more of a studio shot film. It doesn’t seem to be like documentary.
ReplyDeleteThe part of this movie I liked most was when he was climbing the building it was funny and it kept you on the edge of your seat even if it’s a silent film. They know how to keep you interested I really enjoyed this movie. Some of the parts I didn’t like were all of the lies it just didn’t make me feel good about Harold. But over all I really enjoyed it the pros outweigh the cons.
My favorite scene in the movie is where he is climbing the building this was very intense it kept me Interested in the whole movie its him having to climb higher and higher until he reached the top floor and that really made we interested in the film I loved this film and I would be happy to watch it again
-Jacob Belcolori
Three paragraphs: check.
DeleteTwo required questions answered: check.
Two other questions answered: check (part enjoyed most and favorite scene).
I agree with you about the lies being troublesome. Especially since this is never resolved in the end! What's he going to do when the truth comes out?!
I feel like he was a hero for his friend. He kept trying to distract the cop so his friend could climb the building for the money. I also feel like he was being a stud. he lied to his girlfriend about what job he had to keep her interested in him. He stayed true to being a hero and a stud through out the whole movie and there are a lot more examples than those two.
ReplyDeleteThis movie could work for the lumeire brothers and Thomas. it has the outside scene like he went there to film it but it also is not filmed like a documentary. it has a lot of special effects i think so it has that from Thomas's films. so this film is of its own creator it is not like just one.
I really like how he end up climbing the whole building and at every floor his friend is still being chased by the cop. it kept me very interested. and all the problems he came across when he was climbing made it even more funny than what it would have been if he had just fallen and died when he got to the second floor. If one of my friends wanted to watch this i would make sure they knew how funny it is because everyone loves a funny movie.
I love how your response shows a solid understanding of the styles of the Lumiere brothers and of Edison.
DeleteFull three paragraphs: check.
Two required questions: check.
Two other questions: check (thing you liked most and preparing friends).
i think in this movie the part that was emblematic to Harold lloyds style (the underdog) was the part were he is trying to get to his job but every thing kept going wrong such as trying to get on a bus but it was to crowded or when he gets to work he has to deal with all of those women by himself and it was just all to overwhelming for him i think it was more like the Lumiere brothers because he takes the camera places to film and Thomas Edison brings his props to his studio the black maria
ReplyDeletei think people liked his films because they always have someone to root for even if he isn't the super strong guy or the hero they root for him because he always tries and succeeds in the end which really makes the audience happy to see the one that they were rooting for succeed in the end
i think the cinematography was really good because I’m not sure if he really climbed that high up or they did an effect but either way it looked really good and believable that he was really up that high (if it was an effect)
I am pretty certain that they used an effect to make it look like he was that high. I think they projected the city behind him. But you should do some research and find out for sure.
DeleteDo you personally resonate with Lloyd as the underdog who succeeds because he tries so much?
Three paragraphs: check.
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Two other questions: check (cinematography--or special effects rather--and why people liked Lloyd).
The two moments I found very emblematic to Harold's style I find when he's climbing the building, when he almost falls from the clock and when he grabs the net and almost falls, I was actually screaming at him that point! Jeez! He's way corky and his expressions are very... expressive! I enjoy the humor an the nerdy hopeless guy act, although when he lies to her it pisses me off...
ReplyDeleteI definitely think people came back for the fear factor, the thrill of the experience and goofy enjoyable reactions of the actor himself. Plus the story line is basically a goofy dude trying to get a girl, which i think at least half the population can empathize with, and the plots are so twisted that you're just on the edge of the seat waiting to see how it turns out.
My favorite scene from this movie would have to be when his girl comes to town and he pretends to be the boss to impress her. Not only does he have to go threw and gets himself into more sticky situations in the office, he has to confront the boss and come up with a plan to get him back out of the office, (the plot thickens dun dun dun.) I love his lightning reactions, but at the same time i kinda wish he would've just told her the truth, (this actually makes me not enjoy the movie that much.) But I appreciate the way they make him witty and nerdy.
Three paragraphs: check.
DeleteTwo required questions: you have one. But you didn't answer the one comparing him to Edison or Lumiere. Be sure to reply below and add that.
Two other questions: Check (favorite scenes and why people like him).
The lying is very frustrating ...
I think the first scene that comes to mind is when he is impressing his girlfriend with his bosses things and he was being sneaky about it. It shows his charming character and his charisma. The second scene is climbing the building. Although it mostly uses special effects it reminds me of his daredevil stuntman side.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite scene from the movie is when he is impressing his girlfriend by pretending to be higher up in his business than he really is. It is very entertaining and funny. It keeps you wondering how he is going to deal with this situation and then he does something ridiculous and funny to get out of it.
My favorite part was the situations he accidentally put himself in that turn into hilarity. It keeps being funny throughout the whole movie until the very end. My least favorite part is the story doesn’t keep me pulled in and invested in what is going to happen. I think comedies shouldn’t distract you too much from the actual story.
Tigger Payne 2nd
Three paragraphs: check.
DeleteTwo required questions: you got one of them but forgot to compare the style to that of Edison/Lumiere. Add that in a reply below!
Two other questions: check (favorite part and favorite scene).
I like your insight about being careful about the comedy distracting from the story. That can be tricky. I agree with you very much on this point.
I only have one thing that explains his acting style: the comedy. I think this is more like Thomas Edison's films because some of it was put on a set. My favorite part of this movie would have to be during the end when his friend says "I will be right back as soon as i ditch the cop!". If one of my friends where going to watch this i wouldn't tell them anything about it because they wouldn't have the same reaction as all of us in the class did.
ReplyDeleteGraded.
DeleteIn safety last Harold played an underdog who kinda got the girl, and he did some dangerous stunts. Those were some of his trademarks, I feel like he was the original underdog and I really like the underdog character because I relate to them. I felt like this was more of a Thomas Edison movie because it wasn't a documentary. It was a studio flick.
ReplyDeleteI feel like that people back then in the 1920s liked good funny movies, Just like the viewers now day. I feel like a good comedy was enjoyed then, now, and will be enjoyed in the future, because people like to laugh, they make us feel good. That's why I feel like they are so good because comedy is something that is shown great with word and action, and the fact that these movie didn't have talking there was a lot more movement comedy then joke or word comedy.
If my best friend was going to watch this I would warn them that it is a silent movie so it might not sound good at first, but it is really fun even though there is no talking. it is just a hoot!
Graded.
DeleteThe two moments of this film that I feel are very emblematic of Harold Lloyd's style are the moment on the clock and that moment when he does the splits between the vehicles. I feel they were very emblematic of his style because he was always doing daredevil stunts and his clock hang was so iconic that Jackie Chan would do a similar scene in the film Shanghi Knights. The vehicle splits was also very emblematic of his style because he did it in so many of his movies.
ReplyDeleteI feel this film is more like the Lumiere brothers' films because it's more of a go to the location and show what's there kind of film and less of a bring the subjects to the set kind of film.
I think people in Harold Lloyd's time liked his movies so much because he was an everyman hero. He was like superman without powers. He was a big boy scout.
If one of my best friends were going to watch this film, I would tell my friend that it was a silent film where bad things happen to people ahead of time to help him or her to appreciate it.
Graded.
DeleteThe first moments were at the beginning when he was trying to write to the girl and he gets stuck in the back of the towel supply truck, having to do anything to get back before his shift started. Also when the girl comes to be with him in the city, all the ridiculous thing he does to impress her. He risks his job just to make her believe that he has a better position than he really does. Theres another part that captures him as an actor a lot, its when he is climbing up the building at he get all the way up to the clock. As its falling apart and he is trying so hard to not fall, its just hilarious.
ReplyDeleteI fell that it is more similar to both, Lumiere Brothers, it the aspect that there would go out to film, were as Thomas Edison filmed in the studio. At the same time, Harold Lloyd made his own films like Thomas Edison did. I feel that people liked his films because your captivated from the beginning of the movie, just waiting to see what happens next. It has suspense and there is just so much to love about the way that he films and how theres never a dull moment.
My favorite part of the movie was when he was climbing up the building, watching him run into obstacles whenever he got to a new floor was so hilarious. How his friend just kept telling him that he would be able to take his place at the next floor over and over. This movie in general was an amazing movie and i would watch it over and over.
Graded.
DeleteAs noted in the beginning of class, Harold Lloyd generally played a nice guy, someone who is relatable, an underdog and is also known for his stunt work. The few moments in the film when his character helped his friend escape from the police shows the ‘nice guy’. The climactic scene of the film where Lloyd’s character is scaling the building, effortlessly shows a modern audience just how acrobatic Lloyd was as he grasped onto the tall concrete façade.
ReplyDeleteSafety Last would relate more to one of Thomas Edison’s films because it’s more of a staged set rather than a ‘documentary’ style film.
What I liked most about this film was how Lloyd’s character was so relatable. Seeing how working in a fabric store may not be the most common job among men, his character had struggles carrying out his responsibilities just as we do today. My least favorite part was the side story with the main characters friend. While it may have been important to have something else going on, I wasn’t too fond of the concept, and I think if there had been a different story line going on I would have preferred it.
My favorite scene from the film was when Lloyd was in the fabric store and they were having a sale. Seeing how the women rushed up and were in a frenzy to get their hands on anything they could, pushing each other out of the way, seeing women, who are supposed to be lovely and elegant be shown under a different light seemed like something that was such a classic moment that you can see being reciprocated in films throughout time.
Graded.
Delete