Skyscraper

William Boyd and Alan Hale play pals whose mutual abuse disguises the soft spot they share for one another in this enjoyable knockabout comedy that benefits from its unusual setting amongst the skeletal frameworks of partially constructed skyscrapers. Things turn serious in the final reel, though, when one of them suffers an injury - and the movie also suffers as a result. The cocksure ladies man played by Boyd is the kind of part that would be claimed by the likes of Jimmy Cagney just a few years later, which is probably why Boyd ended up playing low-budget (but highly popular) cowboy hero Hopalong Cassidy for the rest of his career.

"Skyscraper" is a silent film which was Oscar nominated for its writing. While I certainly don't think it's a classic in any way, the writing is decent...and reminds me a lot of a Popeye cartoon (though the Popeye cartoons actually came a few years after this movie). This is because the two buddies are a lot like Popeye and Bluto...they love to fight and get in scrapes together and it's almost cartoonish.

Blondy and Slim (William Boyd and Alan Hale) are both guys who work on skyscrapers together. They often quarrel but they really are good friends. One day on the job, Blondy is injured trying to save a coworker...and he has great difficulty walking. However, instead of working on rehabilitating himself, he just stays home and sulks. What's worse, a lady is very interested in him but now that he's injured, he gives her the cold shoulder. So, Slim has an idea...to make Blondy mad enough to get up and walk! See the film...and see what I mean.

This is a very short film with a simple plot. This is NOT a complaint...just an observation since the film clocks in at just under an hour...a B-movie length. As such, it's a fast and easy movie to watch and enjoy. While it's far from a must-see, it's well worth your time and proof you can still do a pretty good movie in only 58 minutes!