In "The Freshman" - not to be confused with the 1990 movie starring Marlon Brando and Matthew Broderick - Harold Lloyd plays a guy who goes to college, only to end up the laughingstock of the campus. The funniest scenes are the football practice and the dance. Although much of the latter sequence reminded me of the party in "The Shining", here we have the protagonist suffering a series of mishaps!
Basically, this movie's purpose is to be funny, and it succeeds every step of the way. I have no doubt that they had a lot of fun filming it. College is bound to make a great setting for comedy (aside from this one, there's Buster Keaton's 1927 movie "College", as well as "Animal House", "Revenge of the Nerds" and "Road Trip"). Definitely see it.
A 1920s party gets depicted, starring a man with the last name Lloyd, while "The Shining" depicted a similar event at which the bartender was named Lloyd. Imagine that.
The Freshman
1925
Action / Comedy / Family / Romance / Sport
The Freshman
1925
Action / Comedy / Family / Romance / Sport
Plot summary
Harold Lamb's dream is to go to college and become the most popular student on campus, much like the character Speedy played by actor Lester Laurel in the movie "The College Hero". Accepted into Tate College, Harold plans to emulate Speedy, including giving himself the nickname Speedy, to gain that popularity, not realizing that if he does so, he will be more the buffoon than the hero. To be the most popular student, he will have to outdo the current most popular student, football captain Chet Trask. Unaware Speedy's task is made all the more difficult when one of the upperclassmen, seeing how hard Speedy is trying to impress, does whatever he can to make Speedy look all the more ridiculous, all the while Speedy believing he is achieving his dream. The bully's efforts are made all the more easy as Speedy is able to buy his way to seeming popularity with the small nest egg he was able to accumulate from work. The one thing that Speedy may not be able to buy is his way onto the football team, which he is convinced is the only surefire way to becoming the campus hero, despite not realizing that he truly is not the football type. While Speedy remains unaware how he truly looks to his classmates, Peggy, the daughter of the owner of the rooming house where he is staying, is aware; she and Speedy are in love with each other. The love of a good woman might be able to provide Speedy with a clearer understanding of who he truly should be to impress, and/or get his mind focused on other things other than being everyone's best friend.
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Harold goes to college
Rudy + Forrest
Harold Lamb (Harold Lloyd) has always dreamed of going to college. He is excited to be a freshman at Tate University. Upon arrival, the upper classmen led by The College Cad prank Harold. He is humiliated until he start imitating his movie hero gaining the nickname Speedy. Unbeknownst to him, The College Cad continues his campaign to make Harold a joke. Everybody starts laughing at him behind his back except Peggy. He tries out for football but is relegated to replace the tackling dummy. Despite that, he is thrilled to be on the team and his never-quit attitude ends up winning the big game.
This is Harold Lloyd's on-screen persona at its purest goodness. It is Rudy and Forrest rolled into one. He is wide-eyed and optimistic. He is the underdog and the good guy. He is the movie hero that everybody roots for. I certainly understand why this is his breakout role and his big movie hit. My only concern is the football game. I know rules have changed over the years but there are a lot of things wrong with that game.
A True Master?
Nerdy college student (Harold Lloyd) will do anything to become popular on campus.
As far as Lloyd comedies go, this film is more plot and character-driven than the constant physical punchlines of his other films (including, of course, "Safety Last"). That takes nothing away from it, but in fact possibly adds something -- proof that this is a man who can do both gags and a straight story.
The Criterion release is incredible, not only for its commentary with Leonard Maltin and friends, but for its inclusion of plenty of Lloyd bonus material -- among other things, it has three short films.
Hopefully through Criterion's efforts the name of Harold Lloyd grows in importance. The silent comedy era always seems to be Charlie Chaplin first, Buster Keaton second... and then Lloyd either a distant third or forgotten completely. He should never be forgotten.