The Freshman (1925)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Directors:

Fred C. Newmeyer
Sam Taylor

Writers:

John Grey (writer)
Sam Taylor (writer)

Release Date:

20 September 1925 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Sport

Plot:

Nerdy college student will do anything to become popular on campus.

Plot Keywords:

College | College Student | Student | Campus | Practical Joke

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Harold Lloyd	...	The Freshman (Harold 'Speedy' Lamb)
Jobyna Ralston	...	Peggy
Brooks Benedict	...	The College Cad
James Anderson	...	The College Hero
Hazel Keener	...	The College Belle
Joseph Harrington	...	The College Tailor
Pat Harmon	...	The Football Coach

Also Known As:

College Days (UK)

Runtime:

76 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color (tinted)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Certification:

Australia:G

Filming Locations:

Culver City, California, USA

Company:

The Harold Lloyd Corporation

Trivia:

Harold Lloyd originally began production with the football scenes, filming at the Rose Bowl. However, he couldn't achieve the right tone for these final scenes, and he decided to start over again and shoot the film in sequence.

Goofs:

Continuity: The glass partition between Harold and the driver disappears and reappears.

Quotes:

Intertitle: Tate University - A large football stadium, with a college attached.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Funny Side of Life (1963)

Soundtrack:

Collegiate

Probably Harold Lloyd's best

I was fortunate enough to have seen this film in the theater many years ago and I can owe it to this film for sparking my life-long love of the old comedies. I only recently saw it again but this time on DVD and found the film to be even better than I remembered.

For those used to seeing slapstick shorts (including those of Lloyd), this film is quite different. Instead of the focus of this film being comedy, the humor seems incidental to the story and the character development. Because of this, the first 1/4 of the movie does not have tons of laughs--because it's building and developing the story and not trying to elicit cheap laughs. However, as you watch, the humor increases and because this came as the character developed, you really find yourself hooked into caring for Harold and you are emotionally in-tune with him. So, as the movie continues, you find your heart breaking for the guy (yes, Chaplin was not the only silent comedian to use pathos). And, when the end of the picture arrives, you feel his triumph. An exquisite and highly artistic treasure.

PS--I watched the DVD with the optional commentary from Leonard Maltin et al. This REALLY improved my understanding and appreciation for the film. I rarely ever use this option, but as I was re-watching the film and since it was a silent, this option is a major plus.

Interestingly enough, Buster Keaton came out with a similar movie just a few years later (COLLEGE). However, it isn't even close to being as good as THE FRESHMAN. I love Keaton, but not this film. If you must seem one silent college picture, see THE FRESHMAN--and maybe the Marx Brothers' HORSE FEATHERS for a much stupider but terribly funny sound take on college life.