Movie Crazy (1932)

Standout Comedy - Movie Crazy review by Steve

Harold talks! Though he’s still playing a small town boy living with mum and dad. He leaves for Hollywood to make it big as a dramatic star, but is so accident prone he eventually gets a chance as a comedian. Lloyd isn't a great sound actor. He behaves and speaks surprisingly like Elisha Cook, Jr.

But his physical comedy remains out of this world. Like when he goes to a party of high-rollers but gets his jacket mixed up with the magic act… And there is still an extended climactic set piece, when he gets into a mighty punch up on set with his rival for the sassy female actor he falls for (Constance Cummings).

This is a very funny picture. And if the friction between the silent comedy and early screwball is so easy to overlook, then credit to Cummings, who is sensational (and beautiful) playing both a Hollywood star and the Spanish character which is her role in the film within a film. Both of whom Harold tries to romance. She steals every scene.

This was Lloyd’s last big hit. The sophisticated charm, artifice and verbal wit exemplified by his female co-star would swallow Hollywood comedy. Now we’re all waiting for Cary Grant to turn up. But this is a welcome late success by a great interloper from the silents. Hooray for Harold Lloyd!