Movieland (1926) User Reviews

At times a bit dopey....but it made me laugh.

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 5 February 2019]

This film stars Lupino Lane, a mostly forgotten comic who was related to Ida Lupino (her second cousin). It's really a shame he has been forgotten because most of the Lane shorts I've seen have been very enjoyable...like "Movieland".

When the film begins, the famous movie star, Miss Mills, is having dinner with one of Lester's friends. He convinces her to go with him to meet Lester (Lane), as Lester is a HUGE fan of hers. However, Lester is an idiot and ends up ruining this opportunity. So, the next day, Lester tries to sneak onto the movie studio to meet Miss Mills...and is repeatedly knocked about and tossed for his efforts.

While not every gag works well (the dummy scene goes on a bit long and is impossible to believe), the film has a lot of energy and soon another funny bit comes along. This non-stop humor and action really makes this a fun film...one that might just get you to seek out Lane's other films.

By the way, in a tiny scene you get to see Lloyd Hamilton (the pudgy guy on the Hollywood lot). He, too, is pretty much forgotten and made a few nice comedies during the 20s.

Lupino Lane Does Wonderful Clown-Circus Bits With His Brother Walter

[jayraskin · 8/10 · 22 January 2024]

I was was surprised to see that this short was made in 1926. It seemed to be closer in spirit to the roughhouse slapstick of films made 8 or 9 years earlier. The plot is thin with Lupino Lane trying to get into a movie studio to meet an actress he loves. Katherine Grayson plays the actress. She is best remembered as Buster Keaton's love interest in "Sherlock Jr" and "The Navigator." Much of the movie is about Lupino being mistaken for a dummy or dummies. In fact, it is hard to tell sometimes when it is the dummy or Lupino onscreen. Hopefully it was the dummy undergoing the horrific abuse in most scenes. Still, Lupino's physical skills are terrific and his timing is excellent.

Well worth the time for those who love the superb physical slapstick that the great comedians developed so well in the silent era.