He was known for thrill comedies that could leave him dangling from a clock face high above Los Angeles.
But silent film comic Harold Lloyd had a quieter side that was no less endearing to audiences of the 1920s.
See for yourself with a rare theatrical screening of 'Hot Water' (1924), a silent comedy starring Harold Lloyd.
Harold Lloyd in “Hot Water.”
The film will be shown with live music on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. at Brandon Town Hall and Community Center, located on Route 7 in Brandon.
The program is free and open to the public; donations are accepted to support Brandon Town Hall's silent film programming.
The screening will feature live accompaniment by Jeff Rapsis, a New Hampshire-based composer who specializes in creating scores for silent films.
'Hot Water' finds Harold not climbing tall buildings, but braving the equally daunting perils of family life.
As a young husband, Harold has everything: a family, a new house, and a brand-new car.
Unfortunately, he also has in-laws — and discovers that happiness depends on placating his wife's demanding mother and phenomenally lazy brother.
The film is episodic in nature. It is divided into three parts, with each section playing much like a situation comedy. Along the way, Harold chases a turkey on a streetcar, takes his brand-new car for a memorable spin, and contends with a sleepwalking mother-in-law.
How Harold negotiates the domestic obstacle course is a source of timeless comedy, but also an in-depth look at how a typical 1920s household was set up.
Harold Lloyd in “Hot Water.”
"That's one of the accidentally fascinating things about films from the silent era," said Jeff Rapsis, who will provide musical accompaniment to 'Hot Water.'”
"Seen today, they're like a time capsule that shows how people lived: what their furniture was like, how their kitchens were set up, what fashion was in style, how they got around, and so much more."
'Hot Water' is of particular interest because it shows Harold taking delivery of his first automobile. Car ownership was a growing status symbol in the 1920s, when private ownership of automobiles was just taking hold.
For vintage car buffs, Harold's fictional "Butterfly Six" was in reality a 1923 Chevrolet Superior Sedan.
Harold Lloyd in “Hot Water.”
As a domestic comedy, 'Hot Water' was intended as a change of pace following 'Safety Last' (1923) and 'Girl Shy' (1924), two action-packed thrill comedies that were Lloyd's specialty.
But 'Hot Water' was no less successful at the box office, helping make Lloyd the most popular screen performer of the silent era, based on ticket sales.
The movie is notable because it's the only feature film in which Lloyd is depicted as married and settled, rather than a young man striving to achieve success.
Rapsis improvises live scores for silent films using a digital synthesizer to recreate the texture of a full orchestra.
"It's kind of a high-wire act," Rapsis said. "But for me, the energy of live performance is an essential part of the silent film experience."
For more info on the music, visit www.jeffrapsis.com.
Poster for Harold Lloyd’s “Hot Water.”
