Risks and Roughnecks

I have expressed in the IMDb a mislike of Larry Semon's work, venting my spleen at length in my review for his THE SHOW (1922). However here, where he is merely the lead comic and not the whole show, he has turned out a pretty good slapstick comedy. He shares the interesting pratfalls with his colleagues, including future producer Joe Rock, who are lumped together as 'The Big V Riot Squad.' There is a lot of obvious camera trickery, but it is all done with such a light-hearted air that I am willing to forgive Mr. Semon, and there is even some fairly interesting lighting -- the scenes in the gang's cellar hideout are shot with far more chiaroscuro than most comedians would use.

Not a great comedy by any means, but certainly not a waste of your time.