FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE

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FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE (director: Sam Taylor; screenwriters: story by John Grey, Clyde Bruckman & Ted Wilde; cinematographers: Walter Lundin/Henry N. Kohler; editor: Allen McNeil; music: Robert Israel; cast: Harold Lloyd (J. Harold Manners), Jobyna Ralston (Hope), Paul Weigel (Brother Paul), James Mason (The gangster), Noah Young (Bull Brindle, The Roughneck), Oscar Smith (James – Manners’ Chauffeur), RobertDudley (Harold’s secretary); Runtime: 55; MPAA Rating: NR; producer: Harold Lloyd; Paramount; 1926-silent)
“The film still rocks because of its great sight gags and chases.“

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

The tagline for the Harold Lloyd feature gag comedy is: “A man with a mansion. A miss with a mission.” Lloyd regular Sam Taylor(“Safety Last”/”Why Worry?”/”Girl Shy”) directs from a story by John Grey, Clyde Bruckman & Ted Wilde. But Lloyd, not listed on the written credits, certainly had the most creative input into the writing and direction of the film.

Lloyd plays the Uptown suave, carefree millionaire J. Harold Manners, who ventures to a downtown restaurant meeting and when not locating it he accident burns down Preacher Paul’s (Paul Weigel) outdoor coffee stand. The kindly preacher gives free coffee and sermons to the poor folks in the LA Bowery. Through a misunderstanding Harold writes a thousand dollar check for damages, and the next day in the newspaper he learns Brother Paul used the money to open a mission with his name on it. Harold is not pleased with the honor until he meets the preacher’s sweet daughter Hope (Jobyna Ralston) and becomes smitten with her. Harold then tries to impress Hope, as he helps fill the mission with the underworld crowd from the next door poolroom. Harold marries the Downtown girl despite being kidnapped on his wedding day by his fellow rich Uptown club members, who think he married the wrong girl. But the hoodlum converts cheer the couple after he’s rescued.

The film still rocks because of its great sight gags and chases.

REVIEWED ON 7/14/2015 GRADE: B

Dennis Schwartz: “Ozus’ World Movie Reviews”

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