Spring Fever

Although Harold Lloyd because the biggest film comedian in the 1920s, before that he was a completely different sort of actor. While a leading man in these Hal Roach shorts, the emphasis was on cheap laughs and Lloyd hadn't yet fully developed his nice-guy persona. He did sport the glasses and hat, but his earlier character was more of a jerk and less of the sweet young man...and this is very obvious when you watch "Spring Fever".

Like many of his early films, it co-stars Snub Pollard, though in this one Pollard doesn't have a lot to do. Instead, it's mostly Harold's antics as he slaps innocent people around, cheats a guy in a restaurant and acts totally unlike the nice guy in his later movies. Is it funny? Yes, but in a very broad sort of way...the way small children would more appreciate.

The plot is very simple. Harold is a book keeper who plays hooky from his job to enjoy the great outdoors. There he creates all sorts of chaos as well as finds a cute looking girl....none of which has any sophistication or charm. An interesting curio...but not much more.