Watch Among Those Present

Among Those Present is a classic silent comedy film from 1921, directed by Fred C. Newmeyer, and starring Harold Lloyd, Mildred Davis, and Aggie Herring. The film centers around Harold Meadows (Harold Lloyd), a young man who yearns to impress his socialite crush, Mildred Lee (Mildred Davis), by attending her upcoming birthday party. However, he is not invited to the party since he is not part of her social circle. Undeterred, Harold hatches a plan to sneak into the party by disguising himself as a fashionable guest, and hilarity ensues as his disguise is put to the test.

The film opens with Harold, a humble bank clerk, who is infatuated with Mildred, the daughter of his boss. To gain her attention, Harold devises a plan to attend her upcoming birthday party. However, when he requests an invitation from her father, his request is declined since he is not deemed fit to attend such a social event.

Determined to attend the party, Harold ventures to a high-end clothing store and purchases a top-notch suit and accessories, hoping to pass off as a fashionable guest. Hilarity ensues as his disguise is put to the test when he arrives at the party, where he poses as a British nobleman, Sir Percival Grace.

Despite being a comical character, Harold's cunning plan slowly begins to unravel as he is thrown into one funny situation after another. He struggles to blend in with the rest of the guests as his less refined mannerisms continue to shine through his posh façade. Whether he is getting stuck in doorways, accidentally tipping over furniture, or being berated by the grumpy party attendant (Aggie Herring), his attempts at charming Mildred seems to be failing.

Harold's luck changes, however, when a deaf man, who is also attending the party, strikes up a conversation with him. The man mistakes Harold's gestures for sign language which Harold unwittingly goes along with. Surprised at the man's response, Harold continues to play along, and soon enough, everyone at the party believes that Harold can communicate effectively with the deaf.

With newfound respect from the party guests, Harold gains the confidence to take more risks, including trying to win over Mildred. He eventually declares his love for her and proposes, but she tells him she needs to think about it. Mildred's father, who is overly protective of his daughter, overhears the proposal and orders Harold to leave the party immediately.

During the consequent chaos, a series of mishaps occur that sends Harold on a wild roller coaster of adventures. He manages to escape and tries to win Mildred's heart with a grand gesture that involves rescuing her from a runaway horse carriage. With the help of his new found deaf friend, they manage to save the day and win each other's affection.

Among Those Present is a timeless classic, filled with slapstick humor, romance, and suspenseful hijinks. Harold Lloyd's performance, as a clumsy and determined character, is impressive and entertaining, and his on-screen chemistry with Mildred Davis, who he would later marry, is charming and delightful. The film is also notable for its innovative use of visual effects, especially the scene where Harold finds himself in a room filled with mirrored doors, which is cleverly executed, adding to the humor and confusion of the situation.

Overall, the film is a delightful romp that captures the essence of the silent era of cinema. Its enduring legacy and charm have remained as a testament to its timeless appeal for a new generation of movie-goers.