Silent 'Speedy' showcases NYC of yesteryear
The final silent film of Harold Lloyd's storied career doubles as a timeless look back at a New York City tourist staple.
The Criterion Collection released a remastered version this week of the black-and-white 1928 movie Speedy, which starred Lloyd (The Freshman, Safety Last!) as Harold "Speedy" Swift, a man who attempts to save the last horse-drawn trolley car in town, and Ann Christy as his love interest. This exclusive clip takes a look at the places they filmed in Coney Island over 10 weeks in the summer of 1927, including amusement-park rides and scenic Luna Park and Steeplechase Park.
Fun fact: Steeplechase Park was sold to real estate developer Fred Trump — dad to presidential candidate Donald — in 1965, and was ultimately bulldozed a year later.
The new Criterion release features a new documentary, audio commentary, Lloyd's home movies, a visual essay and old archival footage of Babe Ruth, who was playing for the Yankees when he had his Speedy cameo as one of Swift's passengers.
The movie is also one of several Lloyd classics that are now available digitally on iTunes — film fans can check out that as well as The Freshman, Safety Last!, Dr. Jack, For Heaven's Sake, Kid Brother, Why Worry? and two volumes of the comedian's short films.