The Flirt
Plot
A young man takes employment as a waiter in a café specifically to be closer to a beautiful waitress who works there. His attempts to win her affection lead to a series of comedic mishaps and misunderstandings in the bustling restaurant environment. The protagonist must navigate various obstacles including demanding customers, rival suitors, and his own incompetence as a waiter while trying to impress the object of his affection. The film builds to a chaotic climax involving mistaken identities and slapstick situations typical of silent comedy era films.
About the Production
This was one of Harold Lloyd's early short comedy films produced during his transition from one-reel to two-reel comedies. The film was shot quickly on a modest budget typical of comedy shorts of the period. The café set was likely a simple studio construction designed to facilitate the physical comedy sequences.
Historical Background
1917 was a pivotal year in American cinema, occurring during World War I and at the height of the silent film era. The film industry was rapidly consolidating in Hollywood, with comedy shorts being extremely popular with audiences. Harold Lloyd was emerging as one of the three major silent comedy stars alongside Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. This period saw the transition from shorter one-reel films to more developed two-reel comedies, allowing for more complex storytelling and character development. The film was released just as the United States was fully entering World War I, though the entertainment industry continued to produce films to provide escapism for the public.
Why This Film Matters
While not a landmark film in cinema history, 'The Flirt' represents the typical comedy short format that dominated American cinema in the 1910s. It showcases Harold Lloyd's development as a comedian before he perfected his famous screen persona. The film reflects the courtship rituals and workplace dynamics of the era, providing a window into early 20th century American social norms. Like many comedy shorts of its time, it served as both entertainment and a blueprint for future comedy filmmakers. The collaboration between Lloyd, Pollard, and Daniels exemplified the ensemble approach to comedy that would influence later film and television comedy.
Making Of
The production of 'The Flirt' took place during a prolific period in Harold Lloyd's career when he was churning out numerous short comedies for various production companies. The film was made quickly and efficiently, as was typical for comedy shorts of this era. The collaboration between Lloyd, Pollard, and Daniels represented a regular working relationship that would continue through several films. Billy Gilbert's role as director was somewhat unusual as he was primarily known as an actor, but many performers in the silent era tried their hand at directing. The physical comedy sequences would have been carefully choreographed and rehearsed, as was Lloyd's practice, to ensure maximum comedic effect while maintaining safety for the performers.
Visual Style
The cinematography in 'The Flirt' would have been straightforward and functional, typical of comedy shorts of the period. The camera would have been primarily static, with basic medium shots to capture the physical comedy and facial expressions of the performers. The café setting would have been lit to ensure visibility of the action, with simple lighting setups that didn't distract from the comedy. The film stock used would have been the standard orthochromatic film of the era, which rendered colors differently than modern film and required specific lighting techniques.
Innovations
The film does not appear to feature any significant technical innovations, as was typical for comedy shorts of this period. The production would have used standard cameras, lighting, and editing techniques of the era. The focus was on comedic performance and timing rather than technical experimentation. Any technical achievements would be in the realm of physical comedy stunts and gag execution rather than cinematographic or editing breakthroughs.
Music
As a silent film, 'The Flirt' would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its theatrical run. The exact musical selections are not documented, but typical accompaniment for comedy shorts included popular songs of the era, classical pieces, and improvised piano music. The music would have been synchronized with the on-screen action to enhance the comedic timing and emotional moments. Larger theaters might have used small orchestras, while smaller venues would have relied on a single pianist or organist.
Famous Quotes
No documented quotes from this silent film
Memorable Scenes
- The chaotic scene in the café where the protagonist attempts to serve customers while trying to impress the waitress, resulting in spilled food, mixed orders, and general mayhem typical of silent comedy physical humor.
Did You Know?
- This film was released during Harold Lloyd's early career before he developed his famous 'Glasses Character' persona.
- Billy Gilbert, credited as director, was better known as a character actor famous for his explosive sneezing routine in later films.
- Bebe Daniels, who plays the waitress, would later become a major star in both silent and sound films.
- Harry 'Snub' Pollard was a regular collaborator with Harold Lloyd in many of his early comedy shorts.
- The film was produced by the Roland Film Company, one of several small production companies Lloyd worked with before establishing his own studio.
- Like many silent shorts of this era, the film was likely shot in just a few days.
- The original nitrate film print is considered lost, existing only in fragments or poor quality copies.
- This was one of dozens of short comedies Lloyd produced annually during his peak silent film years.
- The café setting was a common backdrop for silent comedy shorts due to its potential for physical humor and character interactions.
What Critics Said
Contemporary reviews of 'The Flirt' are scarce, as short comedy films typically received minimal critical attention in trade publications of the era. The film was likely reviewed briefly in trade papers like Variety or Moving Picture World, where it would have been assessed primarily on its entertainment value and comedic effectiveness. Modern critical assessment is limited due to the film's obscurity and availability issues, though film historians recognize it as part of Harold Lloyd's important early body of work.
What Audiences Thought
Audiences in 1917 would have viewed 'The Flirt' as part of a typical theater program, likely shown alongside a feature film, newsreel, and other shorts. Comedy shorts like this one were extremely popular with movie-going audiences of the time, providing lighthearted entertainment during the stressful war years. The film's simple premise and physical comedy would have appealed to broad audiences of all ages and social classes. While specific audience reaction records are not available, the continued production of similar films suggests they were well-received.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- Earlier Mack Sennett comedies
- Charlie Chaplin's early shorts
- Standard vaudeville routines
This Film Influenced
- Later Harold Lloyd comedies
- Workplace romance comedies
- Restaurant-based comedy films
You Might Also Like
Film Restoration
The film is considered partially lost or surviving only in poor quality copies. Many of Harold Lloyd's early shorts from this period have not survived in complete form due to the deterioration of nitrate film stock and lack of preservation efforts in the early decades of cinema. Some fragments or poor quality versions may exist in film archives or private collections.