The Head Guy (1930)

Harry is made the temporary stationmaster in a small town.

Director:

Fred Guiol (as Fred L. Guiol)

Writer:

H.M. Walker (story editor)

Stars:

Harry Langdon, Thelma Todd, Judith Barrett

Cast

Cast overview:
Harry Langdon	...	Harry, Temporary Station Master
Thelma Todd	...	The Star
Judith Barrett	...	Nancy (as Nancy Dover)
Eddie Dunn	...	Mr. Dunn, the Producer

Storyline

During a rain storm that follows a snow storm, Nancy comes to the train station to tell stationmaster Kennedy that he's needed at home to see his new twin infants. She promises Kennedy that Harry, her beau, will manage things just fine. Kennedy is dubious but reels off instructions and leaves. Harry's clueless. When a trainload of cabaret performers disembarks for a layover, Harry joins a rehearsing chorus line; Nancy sees him with these immoral women, so she declares she'll never speak to him again. While he cries in his lunch, she puts her morals and her skirt aside to join the rehearsal. When the train pulls away, will she leave Harry in the lurch?

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Plot Keywords:

storm | chorus line | rehearsal | twin | train station | 

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Genres:

Short | Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 January 1930 (USA)

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hal Roach Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

22 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1

User Reviews

Langdon is delicious in Head Guy

One of the best scenes in the Head Guy is the one that so disturbs Michael Elliot. Having Harry cry "If Nancy don't want me, I want to die" while eating a sandwich is just what Langdon lovers love. Langdon moved comfortably in the realm of terribly awkward moments, especially in his affection for women. His comedy pushed up against the limits of the Roaring 20's sensibilities. He used humor about the effects of Castor Oil,the possibility of physically laying a hen's egg, cross-dressing, cheating, and the wonderful world of adolescent sexual longings in his most fascinating films (The Chaser, Long Pants). By 1930 his directorial power had been unwisely removed by Those Who Know Best in Hollywood,but his stunningly brilliant talent shined through "low comedy" talkie shorts like Head Guy.