Speedy

Plot

Speedy Swift (Harold Lloyd) is a lovable but perpetually unemployed young man in New York City who can't hold a job for more than a day. After being fired from his position as a soda jerk for giving away free drinks to children, he takes his girlfriend Jane (Ann Christy) on an eventful date to Coney Island, where his clumsiness and enthusiasm create chaos among the crowds. Desperate for work, Speedy becomes a taxi driver and accidentally picks up baseball legend Babe Ruth as a fare, leading to a frantic race through Manhattan traffic to deliver the slugger to Yankee Stadium in time for the game. When Jane's grandfather Pop (Bert Woodruff), who operates the city's last horse-drawn trolley, faces sabotage from a ruthless railroad corporation trying to force him out of business, Speedy rallies the neighborhood's old-timers to help save the trolley line in a spectacular climax involving a wild chase through the streets of New York.

Historical Background

Speedy was produced during the final months of the silent film era, just as 'talkies' were revolutionizing Hollywood. Released in April 1928, the film captured New York City at the peak of the Roaring Twenties, a period of unprecedented economic prosperity and cultural transformation in America. The film's themes of modernization versus tradition, represented by the conflict between the horse-drawn trolley and the railroad corporation, mirrored real societal changes occurring in urban America. The stock market crash of 1929 would occur just over a year after Speedy's release, marking the end of the era depicted in the film. The movie also documented the final days of horse-drawn public transportation in major American cities, as motorized vehicles rapidly replaced them. The film's release coincided with Babe Ruth's record-breaking 1928 season, when he hit 54 home runs, making his appearance particularly timely.

Making Of

The production of Speedy was ambitious for its time, representing Harold Lloyd's commitment to authentic location filming at a time when most comedies were shot entirely on studio lots. Director Ted Wilde, who had previously worked with Lloyd on several hits, faced the challenge of coordinating complex action sequences in real New York City locations without modern safety equipment or crowd control methods. The famous Coney Island sequence required the production to work around the park's actual operating hours, filming early in the morning and late at night when crowds were thinner. Lloyd, known for performing his own dangerous stunts, insisted on doing the taxi-hanging sequence himself despite protests from the studio's insurance company. The Babe Ruth cameo was secured through personal friendship between the baseball star and Lloyd, who were both among America's biggest celebrities at the time. The climactic trolley chase required closing down multiple city blocks and coordinating with the actual trolley operators, who had to follow precise timing for the complex stunt sequences.

Visual Style

The cinematography by Walter Lundin and Byron Haskin was groundbreaking for its extensive use of location shooting in New York City, capturing the bustling energy of Manhattan streets with a documentary-like authenticity that was rare for fictional films of the era. The camera work during the Coney Island sequences employed innovative techniques including crane shots to capture the scale of the amusement park and tracking shots that followed Lloyd through the crowded attractions. The taxi chase sequence utilized multiple cameras mounted on vehicles to create dynamic movement and tension. The cinematographers faced significant challenges filming in natural light on city streets, requiring careful timing and planning to capture optimal lighting conditions. The visual style balanced the gritty realism of urban locations with the polished composition expected of studio productions, creating a unique aesthetic that both documented and romanticized 1920s New York. The film's visual storytelling was particularly effective during dialogue-free sequences, where the cinematography carried the narrative through expressive framing and movement.

Innovations

Speedy pioneered several technical innovations in location filming, particularly in capturing action sequences in real urban environments. The production developed specialized camera mounts for filming on moving vehicles, including taxis and the horse-drawn trolley, allowing for dynamic shots that had rarely been achieved before. The film's editing, particularly in the climactic chase sequence, employed rapid cutting techniques that were ahead of their time, creating tension and excitement through precise timing of cross-cutting between different characters and vehicles. The production also utilized early forms of process photography for certain effects, combining location footage with studio work to create seamless transitions. The sound recording techniques developed during production, though used for reference rather than final presentation, helped Lloyd and his team prepare for the transition to sound films. The film's preservation and restoration in the 21st century utilized advanced digital techniques to clean and stabilize the original nitrate footage, demonstrating how classic films can be maintained for future audiences.

Music

As a silent film, Speedy was originally accompanied by a musical score performed live in theaters, with cue sheets provided to theater musicians. The original score was composed by Harold Lloyd's regular collaborator, Gaylord Carter, who created a lively orchestral accompaniment that incorporated popular songs of the era and original themes for different characters. The music for the Coney Island sequences featured cheerful, upbeat melodies that reflected the amusement park atmosphere, while the taxi chase scenes used frantic, racing rhythms to enhance the action. For the film's restoration and home video releases, modern composer Robert Israel created a new orchestral score based on the original 1928 cue sheets, using period-appropriate instrumentation and style. The restored versions also include sound effects that were typical of silent film presentations, including street noises, crowd sounds, and mechanical effects that were created by theater musicians. The soundtrack effectively supports the film's comedic timing and dramatic moments while maintaining the authentic feel of 1920s cinema accompaniment.

Memorable Scenes

• The chaotic Coney Island sequence where Speedy accidentally causes multiple mishaps while trying to enjoy the amusement park with Jane, including a wild roller coaster ride and a disastrous attempt at winning carnival games. The scene perfectly captures the energy and excitement of 1920s Coney Island while showcasing Lloyd's physical comedy skills.
• The frantic taxi chase through Manhattan streets as Speedy rushes Babe Ruth to Yankee Stadium, featuring spectacular stunt work as Lloyd hangs from the moving vehicle and navigates through busy traffic while the baseball legend provides comic commentary from the back seat.

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised Speedy as one of Harold Lloyd's finest achievements, with Variety calling it 'a laugh riot from start to finish' and specifically highlighting the authentic New York locations as a major strength. The New York Times lauded Lloyd's 'indefatigable energy and comic timing' while noting that the film captured the 'true spirit of modern New York.' Modern critics have reevaluated Speedy as a masterpiece of silent comedy, with many considering it Lloyd's best work of the late silent period. Film historian Kevin Brownlow described it as 'a perfect time capsule of 1920s New York, wrapped in one of the most sophisticated comedies of the era.' The film holds a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics consensus praising its thrilling sequences, authentic location work, and Lloyd's charismatic performance. The Criterion Collection release included critical essays that positioned Speedy alongside Chaplin's City Lights and Keaton's The General as essential examples of silent comedy at its peak.

What Audiences Thought

Speedy was a tremendous commercial success upon its release, becoming one of the top-grossing films of 1928 and solidifying Harold Lloyd's status as one of the era's biggest box office draws alongside Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. Audiences particularly responded to the authentic New York locations and the thrilling action sequences, with many reports of theatergoers cheering during the climactic trolley chase. The film's appeal extended beyond typical comedy audiences, attracting sports fans who came to see Babe Ruth's appearance and New Yorkers who enjoyed recognizing familiar locations. The movie's success led to increased tourism at Coney Island, as many viewers wanted to visit the amusement park after seeing it on screen. In subsequent decades, Speedy has maintained its popularity through revival screenings and home video releases, with modern audiences appreciating both its historical value and its timeless comedy. The film's preservation on the National Film Registry has introduced it to new generations of classic film enthusiasts.

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