BUMPING INTO BROADWAY (1919) would be an important film in the career of Harold Lloyd as it would mark his first two reel comedy. For the past four years, Harold was pumping out one reelers at an insane pace (weekly) as either Willie Work, Lonesome Luke and starting later in 1917, his glasses character which he would be world famous for the rest of his life. Harold would make thirteen two or three reel short comedies over the next two years before settling into features. Harold’s leading lady for the past few years and real life girlfriend was Bebe Daniels, who would only hang on for one more two reeler with Harold after this before embarking further on a very successful career. Overall, BUMPING INTO BROADWAY is a very good two reel debut in a series of films that would get even better in time. Making weekly one reelers for a few years is more than enough transition for a slightly longer format.
The thing that struck me the most about BUMPING INTO BROADWAY is how meticulous the storytelling is. Watching a lot of the Columbia shorts or heck, even some of the earlier Chaplin shorts as of late, the contrast is pretty stark. No moments of wondering what is going on or just stopping the story to throw in a routine for the heck of it. Every gag or bit of business here is either character building or makes sense within the plot somehow. Great bit of business at the beginning of Harold and the keys being stuck in the typewriter. It shows how poor he is keeping such a contraption and we get nice bits of business of him oiling the keys and even using gas from the lamp as oil. Also notice how he’s getting every last drag of that cigarette to save money.
When Harold meets the old lady begging God for a man, it fits perfectly in the story. Harold is climbing out of the building trying to runaway from his landlords and just happens to climb into the window of the old lady when doing so. It leads to some funny business of Harold escaping the old lady and once he does, back to the landlords again. When he does escape the landlords, he happens to jump into the car of a rich man heading to Broadway, transitioning seamlessly into the next reel. All very well done.
Harold and Bebe have good screen chemistry at this point. The best scene is when she is adjusting her socks and showing bare leg and Harold comes out of the clock (which he hid into so he can sneak into the building and sell his script), goes back into the clock, takes his hand out and knock as if to ask if she’s decent. A funny romantic comedy gag. Also, from a dramatic standpoint, when Bebe, who is jobless and broke, agrees to go to dinner with the rich gentleman, there is this shot of Harold’s heartbroken face that leaves no doubt this guy can do the drama necessary for a feature.
A really good short overall. Future shorts would have more all time classic bits but everything is pleasant here and again, very well crafted. The chases are all pretty good and the end chase shows how athletic Harold was as a young man. Still, I do wonder if it was Harold or a stunt double doing that 360 flip. Need to go back to the slow motion button on my DVD at some point. But yes, a very good short overall and things will get even better. Check it out.
