Having seen Larry Semon a now forgotten silent screen comedian in a couple of films it seems like he was searching for an individual style that all the greats had that set them apart. In Kid Speed which Semon also produced he looked to be imitating Harold Lloyd. The film sure could have used Lloyd as Lloyd and it's just the kind of part that Lloyd would have taken to easily.
Semon is an automobile mechanic with dreams of being another Barney Oldfield and also hoping to win the girl. But perennial villain in the Semon shorts Oliver Hardy is his rival.
Having seen Ollie now in a few silent shorts before he teamed up with Stan Laurel, it's a good thing that Hal Roach created the team. Hardy was a good player in these various shorts, but truly developed his individual persona with Stan.
Larry Semon apparently never did, though the film does hold up well.
Semon is an automobile mechanic with dreams of being another Barney Oldfield and also hoping to win the girl. But perennial villain in the Semon shorts Oliver Hardy is his rival.
Having seen Ollie now in a few silent shorts before he teamed up with Stan Laurel, it's a good thing that Hal Roach created the team. Hardy was a good player in these various shorts, but truly developed his individual persona with Stan.
Larry Semon apparently never did, though the film does hold up well.