Welcome Danger

Plot

Harold Bledsoe (Harold Lloyd) is a timid botany student from San Francisco who travels to New York to visit his father, the police chief. Upon arrival, he learns his father has been injured and must temporarily step down as chief of police. Despite his gentle nature and complete lack of law enforcement experience, Harold is appointed as his father's replacement to maintain order and investigate a dangerous gang of smugglers. With the help of his loyal friend and his love interest Barbara (Barbara Kent), Harold must overcome his fears and use his scientific knowledge to outsmart the criminals. The film culminates in a thrilling chase sequence through the city streets as Harold finally embraces his role as a lawman.

Historical Background

'Welcome Danger' was released during a pivotal moment in cinema history - the transition from silent films to talkies. 1929 saw Hollywood studios scrambling to convert to sound technology, with many silent stars struggling to adapt. The film was released just weeks before the Great Depression began, making it one of the last films of the prosperous Roaring Twenties era. The police procedural genre was gaining popularity, reflecting America's fascination with law enforcement during the Prohibition era. This period also saw the rise of gangster films, making 'Welcome Danger's focus on police work particularly timely. The film's production coincided with the consolidation of major studios and the establishment of the Hollywood studio system.

Making Of

The production of 'Welcome Danger' was particularly challenging due to the transition from silent to sound filming. Director Clyde Bruckman, who had worked extensively with Lloyd in the silent era, had to adapt his directing style for the new medium. The film was shot twice in some scenes - once for the silent version and once for the sound version. Harold Lloyd, known for his meticulous preparation, spent months studying voice projection and dialogue delivery. The sound recording equipment was bulky and often hidden in furniture or props. The famous chase sequence at the end was particularly difficult to film with sound, as microphones had to be carefully placed to capture dialogue while maintaining the action's energy. Lloyd's production team experimented with early sound mixing techniques to balance dialogue, music, and sound effects.

Visual Style

The cinematography by Walter Lundin and Leonard Smith had to accommodate both silent and sound filming techniques. The film uses dramatic lighting to enhance the comedy sequences, particularly in the police station scenes. The camera work is more static than in Lloyd's silent films due to the limitations of early sound recording equipment. The chase sequence features innovative tracking shots that maintain visual excitement while accommodating sound recording. The film's visual style bridges the gap between the expressive lighting of late silent cinema and the more naturalistic approach of early sound films. The cinematography effectively balances the needs of comedy timing with the technical requirements of sound recording.

Innovations

'Welcome Danger' was notable for its hybrid approach to sound technology. The film used both the Vitaphone sound-on-disc system and early sound-on-film techniques. The production pioneered methods for hiding microphones in props and set pieces. The film's sound mixing was advanced for its time, balancing dialogue, music, and effects. The chase sequence demonstrated how action comedy could be filmed with sound without losing pace or excitement. The film also experimented with post-production dubbing techniques to improve sound quality. The technical team developed innovative solutions for recording dialogue during physical comedy sequences, setting precedents for future sound comedies.

Music

The film's music was composed by Sam Perry and performed by a full orchestra. The soundtrack includes both diegetic music (music within the story) and non-diegetic scoring. The sound version features synchronized sound effects, dialogue, and musical accompaniment. The score incorporates popular songs of the era alongside original compositions. The music enhances the comedy through carefully timed cues and stinger notes. The sound design was innovative for its time, using early Foley techniques to create realistic sound effects for the action sequences. The musical numbers, though few, showcase Barbara Kent's singing ability and the film's adaptation to the musical trend in early talkies.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening sequence where Harold, as a botany student, carefully tends to his plants with scientific precision, establishing his gentle character
• The scene where Harold tries to intimidate a group of tough criminals using botanical terminology
• The climactic chase through New York City streets featuring Harold in an increasingly disheveled police uniform
• The laboratory scene where Harold uses his scientific knowledge to create a diversion
• The final confrontation where Harold finally embraces his role as police chief

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised 'Welcome Danger' as a successful transition to sound for Harold Lloyd. The New York Times called it 'a thoroughly entertaining picture that proves Lloyd hasn't lost his touch in the talkie era.' Variety noted that 'Lloyd's comedy translates well to sound, though some of his physical gags lose impact without the silent film's musical accompaniment.' Modern critics view the film as an important historical document, with Leonard Maltin calling it 'a fascinating hybrid of silent and sound techniques.' The film is generally regarded as one of Lloyd's better sound efforts, though most agree it doesn't quite match the brilliance of his silent masterpieces like 'Safety Last!' and 'The Freshman.'

What Audiences Thought

Audiences embraced 'Welcome Danger' enthusiastically upon its release, making it one of the highest-grossing films of 1929. Harold Lloyd's fans were relieved to see their hero successfully make the transition to sound. The film's blend of comedy and action appealed to a wide demographic, from children to adults. Many theatergoers reported laughing hysterically at Lloyd's attempts to be tough despite his gentle nature. The film's success at the box office helped validate the expensive investment in sound technology for comedy films. However, some longtime Lloyd fans felt that dialogue diminished the pure visual comedy that made his silent films so special. Despite this, the film's commercial success cemented Lloyd's status as a major star in the sound era.

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