Safety Last! Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Guy lies about being a big shot, then has to literally climb the corporate ladder to avoid exposure, culminating in a perilous clock-related incident.

🍿 Safety Last!: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Leaving for the Big City

Harold, a young man from the country, bids farewell to his mother and sweetheart, Mildred, promising to make it big in the city and send for her. The opening scene cleverly misdirects the audience into believing Harold is in jail about to be executed, before revealing it’s simply a train station send-off.

Life in Los Angeles

Harold finds a job as a sales clerk at De Vore Department Store, sharing a small room with his friend, ‘Limpy’ Bill. To impress Mildred, Harold sends her expensive gifts and writes letters exaggerating his success, leading Mildred to believe he is a manager at the store. He constantly faces comical challenges and narrowly escapes getting fired.

The Unexpected Visit

Mildred, convinced Harold is doing well, decides to visit him in the city, putting Harold in a difficult situation. He must maintain the illusion of being a successful manager while desperately trying to earn enough money to support her. This leads to a series of hilarious events as he attempts to deceive her and his boss, Mr. Stubbs.

The Publicity Stunt

Harold overhears the general manager offering $1,000 to anyone who can attract customers to the store. He proposes a publicity stunt where ‘Limpy’ Bill, a skilled climber, will scale the 12-story Bolton Building, which De Vore’s occupies. However, things get complicated when Bill is pursued by a determined policeman, forcing Harold to take on the climb himself.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Harold – The Boy (Harold Lloyd): A determined young man who embarks on a perilous publicity stunt to achieve success and impress his girlfriend.
• Mildred – The Girl (Mildred Davis): Harold’s sweetheart who arrives in the city expecting him to be a successful manager.
• Bill – The Pal (Bill Strother): Harold’s roommate, a skilled climber whose run-ins with the law force Harold to take on the dangerous climb.
• The Law (Noah Young): A determined policeman who pursues Bill, inadvertently causing Harold to climb the building himself.
• The Floorwalker (Westcott Clarke): The fussy and pompous supervisor at the department store who constantly reprimands Harold.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Harold: “I’m going to be a success!” – Harold declares his ambition as he leaves his hometown, setting the stage for his adventures in the big city.
• The Law: “You’ll do time for this! The first time I lay eyes on you again, I’ll pinch you!” – The policeman threatens Bill after being pushed over, creating an obstacle that leads to Harold’s building climb.
• Old Lady With Flower Hat: “Young man, don’t you know you might fall and get hurt?” – Said during the building climb, underscoring the peril and absurdity of Harold’s situation.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $121,000
• Domestic Gross: $1.5 million
• Worldwide Gross: $1.5 million

💥 Safety Last! Reviews

Personal Review

I first watched ‘Safety Last!’ on a whim, and I was instantly hooked. The sheer audacity of the stunts is mind-blowing, especially knowing they were done without CGI. The story is simple, but it’s Lloyd’s charming persona that makes it work. That clock scene is something you’ll never forget – I was literally holding my breath! It is one of the best comedy movies of all time, and I want to watch it over and over.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic silent films”
  • “Those who appreciate slapstick comedy”
  • “Viewers interested in film history and early stunt work”
  • “Families looking for a timeless and engaging movie experience”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Some dangerous stunts may be intense for younger viewers”
  • “Mild peril and slapstick violence”
  • “Outdated cultural depictions may require parental guidance”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “A dazzling display of physical comedy and stunt work, ‘Safety Last!’ is a must-see for any silent film enthusiast. Harold Lloyd’s performance is both hilarious and breathtaking. His charm and athleticism shine, making this a timeless classic.
• Variety: “Harold Lloyd scores big with ‘Safety Last!’, a thrilling and sidesplitting comedy. The building climb is a spectacle, but the film’s heart lies in Lloyd’s relatable everyman persona. A perfect blend of thrills and laughs.
• AllMovie: “Safety Last! is a masterclass in silent comedy. Lloyd’s blend of slapstick and genuine peril makes for an unforgettable cinematic experience. The clock scene is iconic, but the film as a whole is a testament to Lloyd’s genius.

Audience Reactions

The clock scene is one of the most iconic moments in cinema history, creating lasting memories.: Viewers were blown away by the daring stunts, especially the unforgettable climb and the iconic clock sequence.

The film is full of inventive gags and slapstick comedy.: The humor is timeless and relatable.

Overall Consensus: ‘Safety Last!’ is a beloved silent film renowned for its thrilling stunts, charming lead, and iconic clock scene, making it a must-see for any film enthusiast.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Harold Lloyd lost his right thumb and index finger in a 1919 accident when a prop bomb exploded. He wore a prosthetic glove during filming to conceal the injury, performing his stunts with only eight fingers.”
• “The famous clock scene and building climb were achieved through a combination of clever camera angles, forced perspective, and a custom-built facade on the roof of a real building. This created the illusion of height while providing a degree of safety for the performers.”
• “Bill Strother, who played ‘Limpy’ Bill, was a real construction worker and experienced climber, which added to the realism of the climbing sequences. He doubled for Harold in some of the wider shots.”
• “The building used for the climb was the International Bank Building at 223 North Spring Street in Los Angeles.”

🖥️ How to Watch Safety Last!?

Currently, ‘Safety Last!’ can be found on various streaming platforms and for digital purchase. Check services like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and FandangoNOW to rent or buy the film. Availability may vary depending on your region. Additionally, the Criterion Collection has released a restored version on Blu-ray and DVD, which includes supplementary materials.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Safety Last!, you might like these similar films:

• The Kid Brother (1927): Another classic Harold Lloyd comedy featuring physical stunts and a charming underdog character.
• Modern Times (1936): Charlie Chaplin’s film shares the theme of an everyman struggling against the challenges of modern life, with iconic physical comedy.
• Man on a Ledge (2012): A modern thriller involving a high-stakes stunt on a building, sharing the suspenseful element of a person on a skyscraper.
• Sherlock Jr. (1924): Another silent film era comedy featuring physical stunts.

🛒 Safety Last! Related Products

• Safety Last! (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A beautifully restored version of the film with extensive bonus features, including behind-the-scenes footage and essays, making it a must-have for collectors.
• Harold Lloyd: An American Comedy [DVD]: This comprehensive documentary explores Harold Lloyd’s life and career, featuring rare footage and interviews, offering deep insights into his comedic genius.
• Harold Lloyd Hanging from Clock Tower T-Shirt: Features the iconic image from the movie on a high-quality, comfortable t-shirt, allowing fans to show their love for the film in style.
• Safety Last! Movie Poster (Framed): A high-quality print of the original movie poster, professionally framed and ready to hang, adding a touch of classic Hollywood to any room.

🎧 Soundtrack

Safety Last! features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Safety Last! (Original Score)” – performed by Carl Davis
• “The Climber” – performed by Robert Israel

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Some of Harold Lloyd’s most amazing stunts and best silent comedy gags

Want to see some seriously impressive stunts? This video is a compilation of Harold Lloyd’s best, including scenes from ‘Safety Last!’ – prepare to be amazed by what this guy could do!

Harold Lloyd | Film’s First Underdog | A Docu-Mini

Ever wonder about the man behind the iconic image of dangling from a clock tower? This mini-documentary dives into the life and career of Harold Lloyd, revealing why he was a true ‘underdog’ in early cinema. It’s super interesting and gives you a new appreciation for his work!

Villagers React to Epic Climbing Scene in Harold Lloyd’s Safety Last! React 2.0

Curious how people react to ‘Safety Last!’ today? Check out this video of villagers watching the famous clock tower scene for the first time. Their reactions are priceless – it’s fun to see how this classic still holds up!

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