High and Dizzy

Plot

In this classic Harold Lloyd comedy short, Dr. Jolly Goodfellow (Harold Lloyd) is a young, somewhat incompetent physician who has been drinking heavily. After treating a young woman (Mildred Davis) for nervousness, he discovers that she sleepwalks and has a tendency to wander onto dangerous ledges. The doctor, now quite inebriated, must rescue his patient when she sleepwalks onto the ledge of a tall building, leading to a series of perilous and hilarious situations. The climactic sequence involves Lloyd's character attempting to save the sleepwalking woman while dealing with his own impaired coordination, all while suspended high above the city streets.

Historical Background

Released in 1920, 'High and Dizzy' emerged during the golden age of silent comedy in Hollywood. This was a period when American cinema was establishing itself as a dominant cultural force, with comedians like Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd becoming international stars. The film was made shortly after World War I, during a time of social change and economic prosperity known as the Roaring Twenties. Audiences were eager for escapist entertainment, and comedy films provided relief from the tensions of the post-war period. The film also reflects the era's changing attitudes toward alcohol, coming just before Prohibition would take effect in 1920. The medical profession was undergoing significant changes during this time, with modern medicine becoming more established, making the bumbling doctor character a source of contemporary humor.

Making Of

The production of 'High and Dizzy' marked a significant evolution in Harold Lloyd's comedy style, moving away from pure slapstick toward more suspenseful situations. The filming of the ledge sequences required careful planning and innovation. The crew built a partial facade of a building with the ledge portion extending over a studio floor covered with mattresses and safety nets. Glass paintings were used to extend the view and create the illusion of being many stories up. Lloyd, known for his dedication to performing his own stunts, insisted on doing most of the dangerous work himself, though the studio took increasing safety precautions as his star power grew. The collaboration between Lloyd and director Hal Roach was at its peak during this period, with both men contributing ideas for gags and situations. The film's success encouraged the team to push the boundaries even further in subsequent productions.

Visual Style

The cinematography in 'High and Dizzy' was innovative for its time, particularly in the execution of the building ledge sequences. The cinematographer used clever camera angles and perspective tricks to enhance the illusion of height and danger. Wide shots were employed to establish the setting, while tighter shots on the actors' faces captured the comedy and tension of their performances. The use of matte paintings and glass shots was particularly effective in creating the urban environment. The camera work during the suspense sequences was carefully choreographed to maintain continuity while maximizing the comedic and dramatic effect. The film's visual style was typical of Hal Roach productions of the era - clean, well-composed shots that served the comedy without drawing attention to themselves.

Innovations

The film's most significant technical achievement was its innovative use of set construction and visual effects to create convincing height illusions. The partial set building technique used in 'High and Dizzy' would become standard practice for subsequent thrill comedies. The film also demonstrated early mastery of continuity editing in comedy, maintaining spatial relationships while cutting between different angles during the suspense sequences. The safety innovations developed for this production, including hidden nets and mattresses, influenced industry standards for stunt filming. The film's success in creating tension through visual means, without dialogue, showcased the power of pure cinema and influenced how filmmakers would approach suspense in the sound era.

Music

As a silent film, 'High and Dizzy' would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its original theatrical run. The typical score would have consisted of popular songs of the era, classical pieces, and specially composed mood music. For the tense sequences on the building ledge, theaters would often use dramatic, fast-paced music to enhance the suspense. Comedic moments would be accompanied by lighter, more whimsical selections. Some larger theaters might have had small orchestras, while smaller venues would use a piano or organ. Modern restorations of the film typically feature newly composed scores that attempt to recreate the silent era experience while being accessible to contemporary audiences.

Memorable Scenes

• The climactic sequence where the inebriated doctor attempts to rescue the sleepwalking woman from the building ledge, featuring Harold Lloyd's trademark combination of comedy and genuine danger

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised 'High and Dizzy' for its innovative blend of comedy and suspense. The Motion Picture News called it 'a laugh riot from start to finish' and particularly noted Harold Lloyd's 'daring and hilarious performance' on the building ledge. Variety highlighted the film's 'original gags and clever situations' while predicting it would be 'a sure-fire hit with audiences.' Modern critics and film historians view the film as an important stepping stone in Lloyd's career, showing the development of his signature style. The film is often cited as a precursor to his more famous feature 'Safety Last!' and is appreciated for its inventive use of limited space and resources to create maximum tension and comedy.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences of 1920 embraced 'High and Dizzy' enthusiastically, making it one of the more popular comedy shorts of its release year. The combination of relatable humor and thrilling suspense proved to be a winning formula with moviegoers. The film's success at the box office helped solidify Harold Lloyd's status as one of the top three comedy stars of the silent era, alongside Chaplin and Keaton. Contemporary audience reports from theaters across the country noted that the building ledge sequence generated both laughter and genuine gasps from viewers. The film's popularity contributed to Lloyd's growing fan base and helped establish his marketability for future feature-length productions.

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