Why Worry? (1923)

Directors:

Fred C. Newmeyer
Sam Taylor

Writers:

Sam Taylor (story)
Ted Wilde (story) ...

Release Date:

9 September 1923 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy | Family | Romance

Plot:

Harold Van Pelham (Lloyd) is a hypochondriac, rich businessman who sails to the tropics for his 'health.'...

Plot Keywords:

Revolution | Giant | Hypochondriac | Jail Break | Mistaken Identity

Cast

Harold Lloyd	...	Harold Van Pelham
Jobyna Ralston	...	The Nurse
John Aasen	...	Colosso (as Johan Aasen)
Wallace Howe	...	The Valet
Jim Mason	...	Jim Blake (as James Mason)
Leo White	...	Herculeo
Gaylord Lloyd	...	Man
Mark Jones	...	Mounted Captain

Runtime:

60 min | USA:63 min (Turner library print)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (tinted and toned) | Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Filming Locations:

Hal Roach Studios - 8822 Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company:

Hal Roach Studios

Trivia:

Harold Lloyd's first film with leading lady Jobyna Ralston. She was picked primarily because Lloyd wanted somebody who was exactly the opposite of his previous leading lady, Mildred Davis, who had by then retired from films to become Mrs. Harold Lloyd.

Goofs:

Continuity: The chalk marking Harold makes for the spare in bowling changes.

Quotes:

Harold Van Pelham: Why didn't you tell me I love you?

Movie Connections:

Featured in Funny Side of Life (1963)

Putting Down Insurrection With Mr. Lloyd

A rich, young hypochondriac figures WHY WORRY? As long as he's got his nurse & valet to look after him absolutely nothing could happen, right?

Harold Lloyd, one of America's preeminent comedians of the Silent Era, uses his remarkable comic skills and tremendous athletic abilities to score another solid hit in this tale full of adventurous hilarity. With remarkable nonchalance, he calmly proceeds to thwart a Latin American revolution which threatens to shatter the tranquility of his restful vacation. But once his temper is aroused--at the sight of a distraught female--he really becomes a two-fisted hero eager to take on any number of bad guys.

Special mention should be made of Minnesota-born Norwegian-American John Aasen (1887-1938), who in his film debut plays Harold's gigantic companion. Nearly nine feet tall & rather fearsome, he nonetheless almost immediately grabs the viewer's complete sympathy while suffering mightily from a raging toothache. Gentle with Harold, he becomes an unstoppable one-man army in dealing with their enemies.

This film marked a milestone of sorts for Harold. It was his last produced in collaboration with Hal Roach; their friendly parting allowed Harold to gain virtually complete control over his films. WHY WORRY? was also his first movie to feature his new costar, beautiful Jobyna Ralston, who delivers a feisty, compelling performance as Harold's nurse; his previous leading lady, Mildred Davis, was now very busy in her new life as Mrs. Harold Lloyd.

Robert Israel has composed an excellent film score which perfectly complements Harold's antics on the screen.