In the 1910s, Harold Lloyd had a successful career but it came nowhere close to his success in the 1920s because his earlier characters weren't particularly original or likable. It was only after Lloyd left the major studios and went off on his own that his career blossomed (a situation somewhat like that of Chaplin).
DON'T SHOVE is precisely the sort of derivative and pure slapstick film that brought him some fame but kept him from achieving greater notoriety. Harold's character just isn't very likable and is pretty aggressive and mean--something he NEVER would have been in his later films. Plus, the major gags in the film all revolve around a skating rink and seems to be a knock-off of Chaplin's THE RINK (and frankly, THE RINK is better). Now this isn't to say there aren't laughs, but compared to later efforts it's all a bit forced and primitive.
Worth seeing for die-hard Lloyd fans and film historians, others are advised to see his later and much more polished silent films.
DON'T SHOVE is precisely the sort of derivative and pure slapstick film that brought him some fame but kept him from achieving greater notoriety. Harold's character just isn't very likable and is pretty aggressive and mean--something he NEVER would have been in his later films. Plus, the major gags in the film all revolve around a skating rink and seems to be a knock-off of Chaplin's THE RINK (and frankly, THE RINK is better). Now this isn't to say there aren't laughs, but compared to later efforts it's all a bit forced and primitive.
Worth seeing for die-hard Lloyd fans and film historians, others are advised to see his later and much more polished silent films.