La vertu récompensée

This is quite a good Harold Lloyd short, perhaps the best I've watched so far. During the first reel, the comedy centers somewhat uneasily around the lead character's poverty - but then it picks up with a lengthy chase involving the entire police district (actually anticipating Buster Keaton's more celebrated COPS [1922]); likewise, Lloyd's ineptitude as a burglar brings to mind Laurel & Hardy's later Talkie short NIGHT OWLS (1930). The subplot about an attempt to fleece heroine Mildred Davis out of an inheritance (by a shady lawyer with the revealing name of Leech) is also interesting; given a macabre spin, it would soon see service in many an 'old dark house' thriller. Apart from Davis, Lloyd is supported in this one by two other amiable characters - a little street girl and her brave injured dog.

A Hal Roach HAROLD LLOYD Comedy Short Subject.

Poor Harold is living FROM HAND TO MOUTH until he meets a very pretty rich heiress who's the target for kidnappers.

There is much to enjoy in this little film which boasts excellent production values, some top notch chase sequences and a typically first rate performance from Harold. His future wife Mildred Davis plays the rich young lady, Snub Pollard is the comically wicked kidnapper & little Peggy Cartwright exudes winsome charm as the spunky waif. Fans will notice that Harold's right hand is intact; this film was made shortly before his famous accident which left him with only half a hand.

Robert Israel has composed an excellent film score which perfectly complements Harold's antics on the screen.

(1919) From Hand To Mouth SILENT COMEDY

From the running time of 22 minutes that has (Harold Lloyd) who is gazing through a window into a diner while customers are eating. A little girl (Peggy Courtwright) and her dog then joins him before the owner of the diner notices and shew' s them away. And after sitting on the curb of the sidewalk, he is then offered a cookie by a customer, and he needed to make a small rip underneath the bag to grab one. Llyod then chases the little girl to which her dog eventually finds a wad of cash and brings it them. Meanwhile, while this was happening (Mildred Davis) has just been informed she will inherit her father's estate if she can sign some papers by midnight. Except that her conniving brother and the lawyer are conspiring together so that will not happen. Leading them the charge is (Harry Pollard) to prevent her from signing the document by midnight. And while she is being driven home by her chauffeur, she then notices the owner of a bakery forcing Harold Lloyd to pay for the bread and other donuts after he discovered it is not actual money after all. She intervenes to pay for all the bread/ donuts ruined before she drives away again. The first of 15 movies Harold Lloyd starred with Mildred Davis.

Two people and one dog share the same problem: they have nothing to eat.The penniless man is joined by a waif and her dog.There is a dishonest lawyer working with a gang of criminals trying to swindle an innocent young heiress out of her inheritance.Then this lovely lady rescues Harold and the waif from the hands of the authorities.Maybe Harold could help the girl with the problem she's having.This silent comedy short, From Hand to Mouth (1919), has two directors, Alfred J. Goulding and Hal Roach.Harold Lloyd is truly great as this poor man.Mildred Davis is really amazing as his love interest.Peggy Cartwright is a magnificent child actress.And you gotta love the dog! There's also the great 'Snub' Pollard playing The Kidnapper.What fine moments this movie offers!

Lively comedy from Harold Lloyd that no doubt provided Buster Keaton with the 'inspiration' for Cops in 1922. He's an impoverished young man who redeems himself after being suckered into burgling the house of the heiress who earlier saved him from arrest. The heiress is played by his future wife Mildred Davis. Nothing groundbreaking, but enjoyable enough.