Watch Bumping Into Broadway

Bumping Into Broadway is a 1919 silent comedy film starring the legendary Harold Lloyd, Bebe Daniels, and 'Snub' Pollard. Directed by Hal Roach, the film features Lloyd as a bumbling stage hand who dreams of becoming an actor, only to find himself in a series of misadventures that put his career and personal life at risk. The movie opens with Harold Lloyd's character, named Harold, working as a stage hand in a small theater in New York City. He longs to be on stage himself, but his boss, Mr. Phelps, dismisses his aspirations and tells him to stick to his menial job. Despite this, Harold continues to practice his acting skills whenever he gets the chance.

One day, a Broadway producer named J. Frothingham Waterbury (played by 'Snub' Pollard) arrives at the theater to audition performers for his latest production. Harold jumps at the opportunity to try out, but his lack of experience and nerves get the better of him, and he makes a fool of himself on stage.

Meanwhile, a beautiful aspiring actress named Peggy (played by Bebe Daniels) catches Harold's eye. Although she initially seems uninterested in him, Harold manages to impress her with his bravery during an accident on stage, and they begin a flirtatious courtship.

The plot thickens when Harold overhears a conversation between Waterbury and Phelps, in which Waterbury promises to cast Peggy in his new play in exchange for Phelps giving him exclusive access to the theater. Harold becomes jealous and decides to take matters into his own hands. He steals Waterbury's script and memorizes a few lines, hoping to impress him and land a role in the play.

Harold's plan backfires when Waterbury catches him in the act, and he is fired from both his job and any chance of being in the play. Desperate to prove himself and win back Peggy's affection, Harold hatches a new plan. With the help of his friend, he disguises himself as a wealthy theater patron and sneaks into the opening night performance of the play. Chaos ensues, and Harold's true identity is eventually revealed, leading to a hilarious and frenzied climax.

Bumping Into Broadway is a delightful romp through the world of theater and the pursuit of one's dreams. Harold Lloyd's comedic timing and physicality hold up remarkably well after a century, and his scenes with Bebe Daniels are charming and endearing. The supporting cast, including 'Snub' Pollard, provide plenty of humorous moments, and the romantic storyline adds a heartwarming touch to the film.

The movie was released during a time when Hollywood was transitioning from simplistic two-reel comedies to more complex, feature-length narratives. Bumping Into Broadway was one of the earlier examples of this transition, and it showcases the emerging talents of Harold Lloyd and director Hal Roach. The film's success paved the way for two more popular Lloyd-Roach collaborations, "From Hand to Mouth" and "Number, Please?" which solidified Lloyd's status as a comedic superstar of the silent era.

Overall, Bumping Into Broadway is an enjoyable and light-hearted comedy that still holds up as a classic of the silent movie era. With its charming performances, slapstick humor, and heartwarming romance, it's a must-see for fans of silent comedy and classic Hollywood cinema.

Bumping Into Broadway is a 1919 comedy with a runtime of 24 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.