Harold Lloyd: Master Comedian (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Suzanne Lloyd (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

One of the most famous images of silent film is a man in a straw hat with glasses hanging on the hands of a giant clock high above city streets. The actor was Harold Lloyd, and the movie was Safety Last. While Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton are the more recognizable names of the silent era, Lloyd, sometimes known as "the third genius," also had quite a career. Vance (Buster Keaton Remembered) and Lloyd (the actor's granddaughter) present an exquisite tribute to a neglected artist. Individual profiles of his feature films containing background information and a short biographical section, a remembrance by his granddaughter, and 225 beautiful duotone photographs grace these pages. There is also an excerpt from an American Film Institute seminar with Harold Lloyd. This book coincides with the release of videos and DVDs of Lloyd's major works and a film retrospective at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in July. A really gorgeous book and fitting tribute, this is essential for silent cinema fans. Recommended for larger public libraries and academic libraries with film collections. Barbara Kundanis, Batavia P.L., IL
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Vance follows his posthumous collaboration with Buster Keaton's widow, Buster Keaton Remembered (2001), with a partnership with the granddaughter of Keaton's great contemporary film comedian, Harold Lloyd (1893-1971). The results are less lively, though Suzanne Lloyd is very much alive. Whereas Vance completed a text Eleanor Keaton had prepared, here he is the principal writer. Suzanne's worthiest contribution is a memoir of growing up in her grandparents' palatial home, Greenacres. The text about Lloyd's life and films leaves minor questions unanswered and smothers Lloyd's genius in bland froth. On the other hand, the master speaks powerfully for himself in a hefty excerpt from an American Film Institute Master Seminar and overwhelmingly in the 225 photographs of his life and work that make this one of the best-looking film books ever. An enthusiastic photographer, Lloyd amassed an enormous collection of his films and the still photographs made during their production. Every page attests that these pictures were brilliantly fashioned to begin with and then kept in pristine condition. Ray Olson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams; 1st Edition. edition (May 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810916746
• ISBN-13: 978-0810916746
• Product Dimensions: 12.5 x 9.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #184,276 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Impressive Coffee Table Book, July 19, 2003

By	Bruce Calvert "silent movie fan" (Brady, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Jeffry Vance and Suzanne Lloyd (Harold's granddaughter) have put together a fascinating book on Harold Lloyd's films and life. Always considered one of the "big three" silent film comedians, it has been difficult to appreciate Lloyd because his films were rarely shown at revivals and on television. The release of this book and the showings of his films on TCM are starting a Harold Lloyd revival.

This book features many large, beautiful photographs from the Lloyd estate. Many of these photos have never been published before. Jeffry Vance has written incisive reviews of each of Harold's features. He details important events about the making of the films, and why they were successful (or not). He also includes some surprising details about Harold's and Mildred Davis Lloyd's private life. Suzanne Lloyd has included a chapter of her remembrances of Harold. Finally, a long interview is included that Harold gave to the AFI before his death.

If you are a fan of silent film comedies, you won't be able to put this book down.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book To Bring Smiles, June 5, 2002

By	D. A Wend (Buffalo Grove, IL USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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This book truly is a labor of love. Absolutely everything one would want to know about Harold Lloyd is included in this handsomely designed book. We are given a great deal of information, with many stills, about the early short films Harold Lloyd made with Hal Roach. The first screen character he developed, Lonesome Luke, is given very good coverage with many photographs. Individual attention is given to the feature length films made during the 1920s, such as Safety Last, Hot Water and The Kid Brother, to Lloyd's last in 1947 - The Sin of Harold Diddlebock. A real treat is the forward by Jack Lemon, who knew Harold Lloyd and was going to play him in a film biography until the project fell through.

The participation of Lloyd's granddaughter Suzanne has meant everything to the success of this book. We can not only see some marvelous stills from Lloyd's movies but family photos. A very interesting photo is of Mr. Lloyd with the honorary Oscar he received in 1953. A short section gives us a look at Greenacres, Mr. Lloyd's palatial home. The appendix lists all of Harold Lloyd's appearances on film, radio and television.

In short, the warmth behind a Harold Lloyd film is carried through to this book. This is a marvelous introduction to the life and work of Harold Lloyd and also a volume that will be cherished by people who know and love his films. One can easily understand why Harold Lloyd was the Third Genius.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Harold Lloyd: Master Comedian, May 23, 2002

By	"s_hall" (WV, United States) - See all my reviews

"Harold Lloyd: Master Comedian" is a magnificent tribute to one of the greatest stars in the history of film. This book celebrates Harold and his contribution to the film industry by showcasing 225 pristine photographs from the life and works of Lloyd, whose films include such classics as "Grandma's Boy", "Safety Last", "Girl Shy", The Freshman", "The Kid Brother", "Speedy", "Movie Crazy", and many more. These photographs are of the highest quality and, even though some have been featured previously in other books, the pictures have never been presented in such a clear, vibrant form. "Master Comedian" features a thoroughly researched text by film historian Jeffrey Vance (co-author of "Buster Keaton Remembered") and Suzanne Lloyd, Harold's granddaughter. The late Jack Lemmon authored the book's forward and Kevin Brownlow (author of "The Parades Gone By") wrote the introduction.

"Harold Lloyd: Master Comedian" provides a very informative look at Harold's life and films. The book begins with the presentation of a brief biography and a discussion of his early work in one, two, and three-reel comedies. A large part of the book, however, is devoted to the individual chapters focusing on each of his feature length productions. There is even a special section devoted to Harold's luxurious estate, Greenacres, and a chapter where Suzanne recalls what it was like growing up there with her famous grandfather. The book concludes with a transcript of an interesting interview Harold gave to the AFI in 1969 and an updated filmography.

I cannot say enough positive things about this book, "Harold Lloyd: Master Comedian" is one of the most distinguished volumes I have in my collection and is a fitting tribute to a film legend. Everything from the book's stunning photographs to its interesting and informative text makes it a highly recommended addition to anyone's personal library.