Hot Water
"Harold Lloyd in his greatest domestic comedy - The laugh riot of married life!"
Plot
Harold Lloyd stars as Hubby, a newlywed who finds himself in a series of disastrous situations involving his in-laws. The film opens with Hubby attempting to bring home a live turkey for dinner on an overcrowded trolley car, resulting in chaos as the bird escapes and creates pandemonium among passengers. His troubles escalate when he purchases his first automobile and takes his mother-in-law and other relatives for a wild, out-of-control ride through city streets. The climax occurs when Hubby accidentally chloroforms his mother-in-law while trying to administer medicine, leading him to believe he has killed her and prompting frantic attempts to hide the body. Through a series of misunderstandings and comedic coincidences, everything is eventually resolved, with Hubby learning valuable lessons about married life and dealing with family.
About the Production
The film featured elaborate and dangerous stunt sequences, particularly the automobile chase scene which required extensive coordination and multiple takes. The turkey sequence involved training several birds to perform specific actions on the crowded trolley set. Harold Lloyd performed many of his own stunts as was his custom, though safety measures were improved after his 1919 accident that cost him part of his right hand.
Historical Background
The year 1924 was a peak period for silent film comedy, with major stars like Harold Lloyd, Buster Keaton, and Charlie Chaplin all producing some of their most significant work. The film industry was transitioning from short subjects to feature-length films, and 'Hot Water' represented this trend. America was in the midst of the Roaring Twenties, a period of economic prosperity and social change, and the film's themes of domestic life and consumerism (particularly the automobile sequence) reflected contemporary concerns. The popularity of domestic comedies like 'Hot Water' also reflected changing attitudes toward marriage and family life in the 1920s, as more Americans embraced modern lifestyles and technologies.
Why This Film Matters
'Hot Water' holds an important place in Harold Lloyd's filmography as his first major exploration of domestic comedy, demonstrating his versatility beyond the 'thrill comedy' genre for which he was best known. The film's success proved that Lloyd could excel in different types of comedy, expanding his appeal to broader audiences. The automobile sequence particularly resonated with 1920s audiences, as car ownership was becoming increasingly common and represented modern American life. The film also contributed to the development of the family comedy genre, influencing countless later films about marital and in-law relationships. Lloyd's portrayal of the everyman husband dealing with relatable domestic problems helped establish enduring comedy tropes that would appear in films and television for decades to come.
Making Of
The production of 'Hot Water' represented Harold Lloyd's continued evolution from short films to feature-length comedies. Director Fred C. Newmeyer, Lloyd's frequent collaborator, worked closely with the star to develop increasingly elaborate gags and situations. The turkey sequence proved particularly challenging, requiring the construction of a detailed trolley car set and the training of multiple birds to achieve the desired comedic effect. The automobile sequence was one of the most ambitious and dangerous sequences in the film, involving real traffic situations and requiring extensive planning to ensure safety while maintaining the appearance of chaos. Lloyd, who had lost part of his right hand in a 1919 prop bomb accident, used a prosthetic glove throughout the filming, though this was carefully concealed from audiences. The film's success cemented Lloyd's position as one of the top three comedy stars of the silent era, alongside Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton.
Visual Style
The cinematography in 'Hot Water' was handled by Walter Lundin, Harold Lloyd's regular cameraman, who employed innovative techniques to enhance the comedy. The film features dynamic camera movement, particularly in the automobile chase sequence, where cameras were mounted on vehicles to create a sense of speed and chaos. The turkey sequence required careful framing to capture the pandemonium on the crowded trolley while maintaining visual clarity. Lundin also experimented with multiple camera setups for key gags, allowing for rapid editing that enhanced the comedic timing. The film's visual style reflects the sophistication of mid-1920s cinematography, with well-composed shots that balanced the comedy with clear storytelling.
Innovations
While 'Hot Water' did not introduce major technical innovations, it demonstrated sophisticated filmmaking techniques for its time. The automobile sequence required complex coordination between multiple cameras, stunt performers, and background actors to create the illusion of spontaneous chaos. The film also featured impressive special effects for the turkey sequence, using combination photography and carefully trained animals to achieve the desired comedic results. The production team developed new methods for filming in confined spaces, particularly for the trolley car scenes, which required innovative camera placement and lighting techniques. These technical achievements, while not revolutionary, represented the high level of craftsmanship typical of Harold Lloyd productions.
Music
As a silent film, 'Hot Water' was originally presented with live musical accompaniment that varied by theater. The official score compiled by the Harold Lloyd Corporation included popular songs of the era and classical pieces chosen to match the film's moods. Typical accompaniment would have included upbeat, jaunty music for the comedy sequences, tense music for the dangerous moments, and romantic themes for scenes between Lloyd and Ralston. Modern restorations of the film have featured newly composed scores by silent film specialists, including Carl Davis and Robert Israel, who have created orchestral arrangements that capture the spirit of 1920s film music while appealing to contemporary audiences.
Famous Quotes
As a silent film, 'Hot Water' featured intertitles rather than spoken dialogue. Memorable intertitles included: 'Hubby's first mistake - bringing home the turkey', 'When mother-in-law visits, trouble follows', 'Some situations are beyond control', 'Marriage has its moments - and this is one of them'
Memorable Scenes
- The opening turkey sequence on the crowded trolley car, where the escaped bird creates chaos among passengers
- The wild automobile ride through city streets with in-laws clinging to the car
- The chloroform sequence where Hubby believes he has killed his mother-in-law
- The frantic attempts to hide the 'body' from various family members
- The final resolution scene where all misunderstandings are revealed and resolved
Did You Know?
- This was Harold Lloyd's first film to deal directly with married life, a theme he would revisit in later films
- The turkey used in the film was reportedly difficult to work with, requiring multiple birds and extensive training
- The automobile sequence required closing off several blocks of downtown Los Angeles for filming
- Josephine Crowell, who played the mother-in-law, was a veteran silent film actress who had appeared in D.W. Griffith's 'The Birth of a Nation' and 'Intolerance'
- The film's success led to increased demand for more domestic comedies from Lloyd
- The chloroform sequence was considered controversial by some moral groups of the era for its dark humor
- Jobyna Ralston was Lloyd's regular leading lady during this period, appearing in seven of his films
- The trolley scene required building a special set that could simulate the motion and crowding of a real trolley car
- The film was shot during the summer of 1924 but released in December to capitalize on the holiday season
- Lloyd's character wears his signature glasses throughout, even during dangerous stunts, which became his trademark
What Critics Said
Contemporary critics praised 'Hot Water' as one of Harold Lloyd's funniest and most accomplished films. The New York Times called it 'a laugh riot from start to finish' and particularly praised the turkey and automobile sequences. Variety noted that Lloyd had 'successfully expanded his range beyond the thrill comedy to master domestic situations.' Modern critics have reevaluated the film as a significant work in the silent comedy canon, with many considering it underrated compared to Lloyd's more famous films like 'Safety Last!' and 'The Freshman.' The film is often cited by scholars as an example of Lloyd's skill at building comedy from everyday situations and his ability to create relatable characters that audiences could identify with.
What Audiences Thought
Audiences in 1924 enthusiastically embraced 'Hot Water,' making it one of the year's biggest box office successes. The film's domestic themes and relatable situations resonated strongly with contemporary viewers, many of whom were experiencing similar challenges with modern life and family relationships. The turkey and automobile sequences became particularly famous, with audiences often requesting these scenes in subsequent Lloyd films. The film's success helped solidify Lloyd's position as the third member of the silent comedy triumvirate alongside Chaplin and Keaton, and it proved that his appeal extended beyond his famous 'thrill comedy' sequences. The film remained popular through the late 1920s and was frequently revived in theaters during the early sound era.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- Earlier Harold Lloyd short films featuring domestic situations
- Charlie Chaplin's domestic comedies
- Buster Keaton's mechanical comedy sequences
- General slapstick traditions from Mack Sennett studios
This Film Influenced
- Later Harold Lloyd domestic comedies
- 1930s screwball comedies featuring in-law situations
- Television sitcoms about family life
- Modern romantic comedies with disaster sequences
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Film Restoration
The film is well-preserved with complete copies existing in major film archives including the Library of Congress, the UCLA Film and Television Archive, and the Harold Lloyd Trust. The film has been restored and is available in high-quality digital transfers. A 4K restoration was completed in 2019 as part of the Harold Lloyd collection preservation project.