Long Pants
"He's been a boy too long... and now he's a man too soon!"
Plot
Harry Shelby has been infantilized by his overprotective parents who keep him dressed in knee pants well into adulthood. On his 21st birthday, Harry is finally given his first pair of long pants, symbolizing his transition to manhood. His parents expect him to marry his childhood sweetheart Priscilla, but Harry becomes infatuated with Bebe, a sophisticated city woman he mistakenly believes returns his affections. When Bebe lands in jail, Harry risks his reputation and inheritance to help her, leading to a series of comic misadventures. Through his journey of mistaken identity and romantic confusion, Harry eventually realizes his true feelings for the faithful Priscilla and matures into adulthood.
About the Production
This film was part of Harry Langdon's contract with First National Pictures and was one of the last collaborations between Langdon and director Frank Capra before their famous professional split. The production was marked by growing tensions between Langdon and Capra, with Langdon's wife and manager interfering with the creative process. The film's theme of delayed adulthood was somewhat autobiographical for Langdon, who was known for his childlike persona both on and off screen.
Historical Background
1927 was a pivotal year in cinema history, marking the transition from silent films to 'talkies.' 'The Jazz Singer' would premiere in October 1927, revolutionizing the industry. This film was released during the peak of the Roaring Twenties, a period of social change and cultural upheaval in America. The theme of delayed adulthood resonated with audiences dealing with rapid modernization and changing social norms. The film also emerged during the golden age of silent comedy, when stars like Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd dominated the box office. Frank Capra was still early in his directorial career, having not yet achieved the legendary status he would later attain with films like 'It Happened One Night' and 'It's a Wonderful Life.'
Why This Film Matters
'Long Pants' represents an important transitional work in both Harry Langdon's career and Frank Capra's development as a director. The film explores themes of coming-of-age and sexual awakening that were relatively bold for the conservative 1920s. Langdon's character archetype of the 'eternal child' influenced later comedians, including Jerry Lewis and Andy Kaufman. The film also serves as a document of 1920s American attitudes toward masculinity, courtship, and the transition to adulthood. Its failure at the box office marked the beginning of Langdon's decline as a major star, making it a cautionary tale about the dangers of creative interference and the importance of maintaining successful collaborative relationships in Hollywood.
Making Of
The making of 'Long Pants' was fraught with tension between star Harry Langdon and director Frank Capra. Langdon, at the height of his fame, had become difficult to work with and often overruled Capra's directorial decisions. Langdon's wife and manager, Mabel, frequently interfered with the production, causing Capra to feel creatively stifled. The film represents the culmination of their working relationship, with Capra feeling that Langdon had abandoned the comic formula that had made him famous. After this film, Capra would leave Langdon's employment and go on to direct 'It' for Clara Bow, launching his own legendary directorial career. The production itself was typical for a silent comedy of the era, with minimal dialogue cards and heavy reliance on physical comedy and visual storytelling.
Visual Style
The cinematography by Elmer Dyer and Ted Tetzlaff employed typical silent comedy techniques of the era, including wide shots to capture physical comedy and medium close-ups for emotional moments. The visual style emphasized contrast between the small-town innocence of Harry's world and the sophisticated urban environment represented by Bebe. The filmmakers used lighting to create mood, particularly in the jail sequences where dramatic shadows enhanced the comedy of Harry's predicament. The camera work was generally straightforward, focusing on clarity of action rather than artistic experimentation, which was typical for comedies of this period.
Innovations
While 'Long Pants' did not feature groundbreaking technical innovations, it demonstrated solid craftsmanship typical of First National Pictures productions. The film used standard 35mm film with the aspect ratio of 1.33:1 common in the silent era. The jail sequences featured some creative use of shadows and lighting that enhanced the comedy while maintaining visual interest. The film's pacing and editing were well-executed for a comedy, with smooth transitions between scenes and effective timing for comic moments. The production values were high for a comedy of the period, reflecting Harry Langdon's star status at First National.
Music
As a silent film, 'Long Pants' would have been accompanied by live musical performance in theaters. The original score likely consisted of popular songs of the era and classical pieces chosen to match the mood of each scene. Theatrical organists or small orchestras would have provided improvisational accompaniment, using cue sheets provided by the studio. Modern restorations have featured newly composed scores by silent film music specialists, often incorporating period-appropriate jazz and popular music from the 1920s to enhance the viewing experience.
Famous Quotes
I'm a man now! I've got long pants!
Mother, Father... I'm going to marry Priscilla... unless I meet someone else first.
These long pants make me feel... different!
A man in long pants can do anything he wants!
Priscilla will wait for me. She always does.
Memorable Scenes
- The opening scene where Harry receives his first pair of long pants and awkwardly models them for his parents.
- Harry's first encounter with Bebe, where he becomes instantly infatuated with the sophisticated city woman.
- The jail sequence where Harry attempts to help Bebe escape, leading to comic complications.
- The final reconciliation scene where Harry realizes his true love for Priscilla and embraces adulthood.
- The montage of Harry trying to act sophisticated in his new long pants, complete with awkward walking and posturing.
Did You Know?
- This was the final film collaboration between Harry Langdon and Frank Capra before their famous falling out, which effectively ended Capra's work with Langdon.
- Harry Langdon was one of the highest-paid comedians in Hollywood during this period, earning approximately $7,500 per week.
- The film's theme of a man-child transitioning to adulthood was somewhat prophetic, as Langdon's career would soon decline after he parted ways with Capra.
- Frank Capra later claimed that working with Langdon taught him valuable lessons about comedy timing and character development that he used throughout his later career.
- The 'long pants' in the title were a significant cultural symbol in the 1920s, representing the transition from boyhood to manhood.
- Gladys Brockwell, who played Priscilla, was a veteran actress who had been in films since 1911 and tragically died in a car accident just two years after this film's release.
- The film was released just as the silent film era was beginning to wane, with 'The Jazz Singer' premiering later the same year.
- Harry Langdon's character was often compared to Charlie Chaplin's 'Tramp' persona, though Langdon's character was more naive and childlike.
- The film's jail sequences were filmed on the same sets used in other First National productions of the era.
- Despite being a comedy, the film deals with surprisingly mature themes of sexuality and coming-of-age for its time period.
What Critics Said
Contemporary critics gave mixed reviews to 'Long Pants.' While many praised Harry Langdon's comic timing and innocent persona, others felt the film lacked the spark of his earlier works. The New York Times noted that Langdon's 'childlike simplicity' was still present but questioned whether the material served him as well as his previous collaborations with Capra. Modern critics have reevaluated the film more favorably, recognizing it as an important transitional work and a showcase for Langdon's unique comic style. Film historians often cite it as a key example of late-silent era comedy and a significant stepping stone in Capra's career development.
What Audiences Thought
Audience reception to 'Long Pants' was disappointing compared to Langdon's earlier successes. The film performed modestly at the box office but failed to generate the enthusiasm of his previous hits like 'The Strong Man' (1926) and 'Tramp, Tramp, Tramp' (1926). Many of Langdon's fans felt that the film strayed too far from the formula that had made him a star. The growing popularity of other comedians and the impending arrival of sound films also contributed to the film's lukewarm reception. Despite this, the film has developed a cult following among silent film enthusiasts who appreciate Langdon's unique comic style and the film's place in comedy history.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- Charlie Chaplin's 'The Kid' (1921)
- Harold Lloyd's comedies of the 1920s
- Buster Keaton's character-driven films
- American small-town comedy traditions
This Film Influenced
- Jerry Lewis's 'The Bellboy' (1960)
- Andy Kaufman's man-child persona
- Adam Sandler's early comedies
- The 'man-child' comedy genre of the 1990s-2000s
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Film Restoration
The film is preserved in the Library of Congress collection and has been restored by various film archives. Several versions exist, including a 16mm reduction print that circulated for many years. The film has been released on DVD by several specialty labels, including Kino Lorber, featuring new musical scores and restored picture quality. While not considered lost, some deterioration is visible in existing prints, typical of films from this era. The preservation status is considered good, with multiple copies archived in major film repositories worldwide.