Run Time: 18 minutes. Studios: Larry Semon Productions, Chadwick Pictures Corporation. Directors: Larry Semon, Noel M. Smith. Writers: Larry Semon, Noel M. Smith, Leon Lee. Producer: Larry Semon. Cast: Larry Semon, Dorothy Dwan, James J. Jeffries, Oliver Hardy, Frank Alexander, William Hauber, Grover Ligon.
To many Kid Speed may be just a typical run of the mill silent comedy short. However, it is one that holds a special place in my heart. That is because it is one of the first silent films I ever saw. I was already a fan of some of the Laurel and Hardy talkie films, when my grandpa got me a DVD set of Laurel and Hardy. The set featured Laurel and Hardy's two public domain feature films, the first silent short film the duo made together (The Lucky Dog (1927)), a public service short featuring the two (Tree in a Test Tube (1947)) and a selection of silent short films featuring either Stan Laurel or Oliver Hardy before the two teamed up. This set ended up being my very first introduction to silent film and I quickly became a fan.
This short features Oliver Hardy in the type of role that he most often played in his days before teaming with Stan Laurel. Here he plays a heavy or in other words a villain that goes up against the main comedian. The main comedian here is Larry Semon. Though mostly forgotten today, Larry Semon was incredibly popular in his time. His work often favored fast paced action over characterization and story. His best works may not have the artistry or inventiveness of the films of Charlie Chaplin or Buster Keaton, but they move quickly enough that they still can entertain.
In this film Larry Semon and Oliver Hardy play rivals participating in a car race hoping to win the affections of a wealthy businessman's (who is sponsoring the race) daughter.
Kid Speed is one of Semon's best films. True to the title, this film moves at a very quick speed. This is the type of comedy that Semon's sensibilities were best suited for. The gags and action come so quick here, that it almost doesn't matter if they are actually funny. The pure energy is enough to make the film entertaining. Yet despite this there are actually some pretty good slapstick gags here. The boxing scene (featuring former heavy weight champion Jim Jeffries) especially always puts a smile on my face. Most of the action though is more fun and energetic than actually funny. The climatic race sequence also features some very impressive stunt work that still looks great today.
The following is an exhibitors review from Moving Picture World.
"KID SPEED. (Larry Semon Special Comedy). Star, Larry Semon. A real comedy with more thrills and spills than ever put before in a comedy. We class it as the very best comedy for many moons. James J. Jeffries in the cast helps get 'em in. Buy "Kid Speed." Boost it and it will not fail to please. Tone, good. Sunday, yes. Appeals to everyone. Ned Pedigo, Pollard Theatre (800 seats), Guthrie, Oklahoma."
The following is a review from The Moving Picture World.
"The first subtitle tells you all about it: 'The tale of two bold men, both loving a maiden fair. To decide the case, they entered a race, the loser to take the air.' In this Larry Semon, special comedy produced by Chadwick Pictures Corporation, the star is all bent to on winning a girl. Opposition is furnished by another automobile racer, and the two of them have it hot and heavy on the racetrack with a bit of dirty work at the crossroads. There you have the story in a nutshell, except for some hilarious, slapstick developments in a blacksmith shop presided over by James J. Jeffries, former champion fighter. This Semon subject is a pippin of a thriller comedy. The racing scenes are some of the most exciting to ever be seen on screen, with much exploding of the villain's dynamite, much skidding on the turns, and some reckless driving through houses and fences. Woven among the thrills are real bits of comedy, with Semon playing a fairly straight role and excelling at it. Among the players are Dorthy Dawn, Oliver N. Hardy, Frank Alexander, William Hauber and Grover S. Ligdon. - S.S.
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| Moving Picture World, 1924 |
To watch this delightful comedy short, you can click on the YouTube video below.
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