Movies at East Sydney - Speedy (1928)

With live music accompaniment, 85 minutes.
Tickets: $30/$25  
General seating 
(T 0419 267 318)

Stephen Robertson, cinephile and loyal supporter of the sessions, will introduce the classic.

“Harold Lloyd's final silent film, the Oscar nominated Speedy, is regarded by many as one of the greatest silent action comedies. Its perfect balance of romance, humour, breathtaking chase scenes and an affectionate portrayal of a rapidly changing city showcase Lloyd’s deserved place as one of the silent Kings of Comedy.
Lloyd plays the title character possessed of endless energy who cannot hold a job but battles to prevent harm to his beloved and her family. Everyman, Lloyd, faces the villainous railroad company that seeks to drive the old horsecar line out of business and take over its tracks.

Modern audiences are drawn to this ordinary man making his way in this extraordinary city at this extraordinary time.

Another star of the film is New York City itself with fascinating views of New York City as it looked in the late 1920s. The feature displays an unparalleled visual time capsule of its bustling streets.

 Appropriately the first title card says, ‘New York, where everybody is in such a hurry that they take Saturday’s bath on Friday so they can do Monday’s washing on Sunday.’ 

Speedy was a hit both in the U.S. and abroad, earning total grosses of more than $2 million. Director Ted Wilde was nominated for an Oscar for his work on the film. Lloyd like Chaplin and Keaton was intensely focused on what it meant to keep audiences laughing and he possessed and applied a keen understanding of the art of comedy.”

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