Harold Lloyd: Master Comedian

Rating:
Summary: A sham
Review: "Harold Lloyd: Master Comedian" is Jeffrey Vance's inspired follow-up to his excellent pictorial biography, "Buster Keaton Remembered." Vance showcases a remarkable series of Lloyd production stills and personal photographs with a thoughtful, revealing text (including contributions by film historian Kevin Brownlow and the late Jack Lemmon). Though Lloyd's go-getting comic persona has not endured in the same fashion as Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, his best silents -- "The Freshman" (1925), "The Kid Brother" (1927) and "Speedy" (1928) -- capture the determined spirit and optimism of the Roaring Twenties better than any filmmaker. Unfortunately, several generations know little about the bespectacled comedian, since Lloyd (who died in 1971 at age 77) rarely reissued his classic films. Thanks to the efforts of Vance and the Harold Lloyd Trust, his existing work has been well-preserved, with a long-overdue renaissance just around the corner. Hopefully, this book will encourage readers to rediscover the cinematic brilliance and comic ingenuity of a truly American artist.

Rating:
Summary: Harold Lloyd: Master Comedian
Review: "Harold Lloyd: Master Comedian" is a magnificent tribute to one of the greatest stars in the history of film. This book celebrates Harold and his contribution to the film industry by showcasing 225 pristine photographs from the life and works of Lloyd, whose films include such classics as "Grandma's Boy", "Safety Last", "Girl Shy", The Freshman", "The Kid Brother", "Speedy", "Movie Crazy", and many more. These photographs are of the highest quality and, even though some have been featured previously in other books, the pictures have never been presented in such a clear, vibrant form. "Master Comedian" features a thoroughly researched text by film historian Jeffrey Vance (co-author of "Buster Keaton Remembered") and Suzanne Lloyd, Harold's granddaughter. The late Jack Lemmon authored the book's forward and Kevin Brownlow (author of "The Parades Gone By") wrote the introduction.

"Harold Lloyd: Master Comedian" provides a very informative look at Harold's life and films. The book begins with the presentation of a brief biography and a discussion of his early work in one, two, and three-reel comedies. A large part of the book, however, is devoted to the individual chapters focusing on each of his feature length productions. There is even a special section devoted to Harold's luxurious estate, Greenacres, and a chapter where Suzanne recalls what it was like growing up there with her famous grandfather. The book concludes with a transcript of an interesting interview Harold gave to the AFI in 1969 and an updated filmography.

I cannot say enough positive things about this book, "Harold Lloyd: Master Comedian" is one of the most distinguished volumes I have in my collection and is a fitting tribute to a film legend. Everything from the book's stunning photographs to its interesting and informative text makes it a highly recommended addition to anyone's personal library.

Rating:
Summary: A Terrific book about the life of a comic genius
Review: Harold Lloyd: Master Comedian by Jeffret Vance and Suzanne Lloyd is a brand new fantastic book on the life of a master comedian and filmmaker. This is truly a great book and I urge you to buy it. If in the past you've only been familiar with the films of Chaplin and Keaton, please buy this book to find out how much Lloyd actually inspired Chaplin and Keaton's films. Harold Lloyd was not only a great actor, but he and his cameraman Walter Lundin created various great camera angles and innovations. Harold Lloyd's Masterpieces such as GRANDMA'S BOY (1922), SAFETY LAST! (1923), GIRL SHY (1924), THE FRESHMAN (1925), THE KID BROTHER (1927) and SPEEDY (1928) are just as spectacular today as the day they were filmed. Harold Lloyd's "talkie films" have known to be not so good however Harold did make 3 great films in the 30s called MOVIE CRAZY (1932), THE CAT'S PAW (1934), and THE MILKY WAY (1936). Harold Lloyd then drifted away from filmmaking to pursue other interests until the 60s when he re-released some of his films in to two compilation films and so forth.

Harold Lloyd will forever be my favourite cinema genius and go ahead and buy this book and hopefully his films will be released on DVD as soon as possible.

Rating:
Summary: A sham
Review: I just watched Lloyd's granddaughter on television talking about this book during the talk about the famous "clock hanging" scene in "Safety Last." The family member took the skewed point of view and mentioned about how all the "harrowing stuntwork" was doine by Lloyd himself, leaving out the contributions of the great stuntman Harvey Peary! Something that Hollywood officianados know. This book is another example of a relative trying to re-write Hollywood history.

A shame that one cannot be satisfied of the actual work of a great man, but must feel the need to lie.

Rating:
Summary: Impressive Coffee Table Book
Review: Jeffry Vance and Suzanne Lloyd (Harold's granddaughter) have put together a fascinating book on Harold Lloyd's films and life. Always considered one of the "big three" silent film comedians, it has been difficult to appreciate Lloyd because his films were rarely shown at revivals and on television. The release of this book and the showings of his films on TCM are starting a Harold Lloyd revival.

This book features many large, beautiful photographs from the Lloyd estate. Many of these photos have never been published before. Jeffry Vance has written incisive reviews of each of Harold's features. He details important events about the making of the films, and why they were successful (or not). He also includes some surprising details about Harold's and Mildred Davis Lloyd's private life. Suzanne Lloyd has included a chapter of her remembrances of Harold. Finally, a long interview is included that Harold gave to the AFI before his death.

If you are a fan of silent film comedies, you won't be able to put this book down.

Rating:
Summary: Impressive Coffee Table Book
Review: Jeffry Vance and Suzanne Lloyd (Harold's granddaughter) have put together a fascinating book on Harold Lloyd's films and life. Always considered one of the "big three" silent film comedians, it has been difficult to appreciate Lloyd because his films were rarely shown at revivals and on television. The release of this book and the showings of his films on TCM are starting a Harold Lloyd revival.

This book features many large, beautiful photographs from the Lloyd estate. Many of these photos have never been published before. Jeffry Vance has written incisive reviews of each of Harold's features. He details important events about the making of the films, and why they were successful (or not). He also includes some surprising details about Harold's and Mildred Davis Lloyd's private life. Suzanne Lloyd has included a chapter of her remembrances of Harold. Finally, a long interview is included that Harold gave to the AFI before his death.

If you are a fan of silent film comedies, you won't be able to put this book down.

Rating:
Summary: A Book To Bring Smiles
Review: This book truly is a labor of love. Absolutely everything one would want to know about Harold Lloyd is included in this handsomely designed book. We are given a great deal of information, with many stills, about the early short films Harold Lloyd made with Hal Roach. The first screen character he developed, Lonesome Luke, is given very good coverage with many photographs. Individual attention is given to the feature length films made during the 1920s, such as Safety Last, Hot Water and The Kid Brother, to Lloyd's last in 1947 - The Sin of Harold Diddlebock. A real treat is the forward by Jack Lemon, who knew Harold Lloyd and was going to play him in a film biography until the project fell through.

The participation of Lloyd's granddaughter Suzanne has meant everything to the success of this book. We can not only see some marvelous stills from Lloyd's movies but family photos. A very interesting photo is of Mr. Lloyd with the honorary Oscar he received in 1953. A short section gives us a look at Greenacres, Mr. Lloyd's palatial home. The appendix lists all of Harold Lloyd's appearances on film, radio and television.

In short, the warmth behind a Harold Lloyd film is carried through to this book. This is a marvelous introduction to the life and work of Harold Lloyd and also a volume that will be cherished by people who know and love his films. One can easily understand why Harold Lloyd was the Third Genius.

Rating:
Summary: Essential film reading!
Review: This is one of the most beautiful books I own. The layout is magnificent and the pictures are nitrate-clear! It is a quick, not-too-indepth, but not too vague, look at the silent comedian's life and career. All of his feature films are covered with rare and lovely photographs. It was nice to read that Mr. Lloyd was a very happy man his entire life. He also exited the film business with grace and held no bitter feelings towards the changing times. The only mistake he seemed to make was in not reissuing his fabulous films during his lifetime...he felt there was no demand. I am thankful for Suzanne Lloyd and her efforts to get Harold's films more circulated. Her story at the end of the book made me cry! All in all, this is a beautiful book and well worth the price.