Ridolini pugilista

Larry Semon is a mostly forgotten silent comic. It's a shame, as his films often have wonderful athleticism and his shorts hold up well. As for his foray into full-length pictures ("The Wizard of Oz"), the less said the better.

The story begins with Dynamite Duffy (Oliver Hardy) coming to town. This boxing champ offers anyone $50 if they can last one minute against him....and in very quick succession a bunch of pulverized guys attest to his power and nastiness. Larry wants a chance at the money, too....and ends up besting this brute thanks to horseshoes in his gloves. Angry, Duffy and his gang are determined to teach Larry a lesson...and again and again Larry manages to get the upper hand due to his brains and atheticism.

The first portion of this short seems much like any other comics' work of the day. However, as the film progresses, Semon's athletic abilities (he was quite the acrobat) and the usual Semon chase scene occurs....and the film switches from a good film to a memorable one. Well made...and well worth your time.

By the way, this sort of villain role was very typical of Oliver Hardy before he ultimately was teamed up with Stan Laurel.

Larry Semon schemes to win $50 by knocking out great boxer Oliver Hardy (yes, THAT Oliver Hardy) by making use of HORSESHOES. Ollie gets mad and chases Larry around the town. Will a genuinely funny series of jokes result?

Larry Semon is best known for being forgotten after inflicting a horrible version of the Wizard of Oz on the world, and for the promoting the career of one Babe Hardy. And that's not entirely fair. Semon's comedies always ended with a spectacular chase that typically had truly amazing stunts. In this one, the stunts involve an Indian motorcycle, a pursuing automobile, and giant mud puddles. Had Semon not died before talkies, he really had a possible second career as a second-unit director at Republic.

Beyond the stunting, though, Semon's shorts tend to pall because the guy just is not funny, and his character, in this one, really does deserve to get beat up by Ollie. The first reel, in this one, though is a little better than the Semon average, because there are some rather imaginative (and cartoonish) gags. The second reel is thrill comedy, Semon style, which always looks like someone is on the verge of being hurt.

By the way, fans of Laurel and Hardy should stick this one out to the closing gag. Ollie's fate here is very similar to one he faces in so many of his comedies with Stan.