All Jazzed Up (1920) User Reviews

An early adventure on Los Angeles's Angels Flight funicular

[jimddddd · 9/10 · 30 August 2008]

Bobby Vernon and Helen Darling are newlywed rubes honeymooning in downtown Los Angeles. While Bobby gets involved with a couple of city slickers hoping to relieve him of his money, Helen discovers Angels Flight, a famous funicular that ran up and down the side of Bunker Hill on Third Street (google Angels Flight to look it up, or simply visit Angels Flight Goes to the Movies at www.electricearl.com/af). For a country girl, the little trolleys are like a giddy carnival ride. She takes a break from the fun by running back to the hotel and leaving her husband a note telling him she's "gone up Angels Flight." When Bobby returns to the hotel, he's heartbroken because he's lost all their money. Seeing his wife's message about Angels Flight, he mistakes it, in his own miserable state, for a suicide note. He rushes out and tries to kill himself, unsuccessfully, until a couple of good Samaritans inform him that Angels Flight is a twin-trolley system, not a stairway to heaven. Elated, he rushes to Third Street, catches one of the trolleys going up, and leaps to the other trolley midway up the hill to join his wife. Overall it's an entertaining experience.

Oh, so lovely!

[suchenwi · 9/10 · 1 April 2009]

For a short from 1920, this film packs a big lot in its maybe 10 minutes. Country/big city contrast.. financial scam.. newlywed romance.. a girl's addiction to a very short funicular.. four suicide attempts..

I watched it three times tonight (checking Wikipedia in between), and must say, old as it is, it surely was done very artfully. A complex story exposed quickly, but easy to follow. Very many cuts between the different experiences of Chet and Jinny. Oh, and besides Angels Flight, also his fascinating car with wooden wheels and a sideway crank... I'm not sure whether this will become my favorite of the 1920s, but it sure comes close. Highly recommended.