Fri 16 Jul 2010
A Movie Review by Walter Albert: WHY WORRY? (1923)
Posted by Steve under Films: Comedy/Musicals , Reviews , Silent films[5] Comments
WHY WORRY? Hal Roach Studios, 1923. Harold Lloyd, Jobyna Ralston, Johan Aasen, Wallace Howe, James Mason, Leo White. Directors: Fred C. Newmeyer & Sam Taylor. Shown at Cinecon 27, Hollywood CA, September 1993.
Harold Lloyd plays a “young millionaire with an absolute patent on hypochondria.” (And I thought I had that sewed up tight.)
He travels to a “sleepy” Latin American village on the eve of a revolution where — with an apparently inexhaustible supply of energy and ingenious tricks — this most engaging of silent film comedians sets about foiling the dastardly designs of villain James Mason, with the help of a gentle giant played by John Aasen.
The organ accompaniment was played by octogenarian Gaylord Carter who worked with Lloyd in the thirties, preparing musical scores for the re-release of the silent masterpieces.
Editorial Comment: I went to IMDB to be sure, but the James Mason in this movie is not THE James Mason, just in case you might be wondering about him. Usually billed as Jim Mason, the one in this film became a cowboy actor, playing mostly small parts until his career ended in the early 1950s.
The movie itself is available on DVD, in the box set The Harold Lloyd Comedy Collection, Volume 1, on sale everywhere.
July 16th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
Another one I’ve actually seen. Lloyd was the Douglas Fairbanks of silent comedy, with an energy level that at times seemed almost super human.
And just for trivia, Lloyd’s famous image was the model for Clark Kent.
The James Mason would have been at most a teenager when this was made he wasn’t born until 1909.
July 16th, 2010 at 10:43 pm
When I was a teaching assistant at UCLA Film in 1970, Gaylord Carter played accompaniment for a silent classic in Prof. Lou Stoumen’s begining Film survey course I was TA’ing for.
I am sorry to say I have forgotten which classic it was–either Griffith, Lang, or possibly THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI.
In any event what I do remember clearly still is how dazzlingly powerful Carter’s playing was, his pleasure at the standing ovation he got from the student audience.
I am still younger now then he was when he played then, and only wish I still had the vigor he retained. He was–and obviously remained in 1993–a remarkable figure.
July 16th, 2010 at 11:07 pm
A delightful story, Rick!
July 17th, 2010 at 11:37 am
Thanks, Steve.
Of course I have been wracking my brain ever since I posted — a little bit before actually — over what film it was.
Since I recall a heart-pounding chase sequence near the end (naturally) with Mr. Carter pounding away on the house organ there in Melnitz Hall, I am now fairly certain it was a D.W. Griffith, almost certainly INTOLERANCE.
There were a lot of musicians manques in the college arts departments back then, and they especially among those sitting in the audience and aisles were just awestruck that “that old man” could play so well, so fast, and for so long improvising his playing to the images on the screen. People talked about it for the rest of the term.
(I have since learned that house organists used appropriate set pieces when accompanying common tropes in silents. Does NOT diminish from what Carter did even a little, though.)
Thanks for giving me the chance to share about it… 🙂
July 20th, 2010 at 11:01 am
I knew at the time I heard Gaylord Carter that his accompaniment made the screening of the Lloyd film a special occasion. Several years ago, I had the misfortune to hear a local pianist accompany a screening of a silent film and the film and the pianist were in two difference places. His playing had no connection with what was being projected on the screen and ruined the afternoon for me. One of the great pleasures of attending screenings at movie conventions is to experience the often superb playing of a new generation of accompanists who do so much to keep the art of the silent screen alive.