THE MILKY WAY
US, 1936, 88 minutes, Black and white.
Harold Lloyd, Adolphe Menjou, Verree Teasdale, Helen Mack, William Gargan, George Barbier, Lionel Stander.
Directed by Leo Mc Carey.
The Milky Way is a star vehicle for silent star Harold Lloyd. He is enjoyable in this talkie comedy. He relies on a lot of sight gags, clowning. However, he carries his own in the humour and verbal humour department. It is the story of the little man, the milkman, who is good at ducking and weaving and so is hailed as a champion because he knocked out the reigning champion. This plot builds up with complications by the fight promoter (played well by Adolphe Menjou) and climaxes in a confrontation with the champion - and a happy ending. Direction is by Leo Mc Carey who directed the Marx Brothers in Duck Soup and then developed into a director of romantic comedies including Going My Way, The Awful Truth, The Bells of St Mary's.
1. Harold Lloyd as a popular star? His comedy style? Silent and sound?
2. The work of Leo Mc Carey, comedy, pacy, action, verbal comedy? The original play opened out for the screen?
3. The introduction to Burleigh: the discussion about the milk runs, his burping, the boss, his love for Agnes the horse?
4. His sister, the encounter with Speed and Spider, the knockout, the press and the consequences, his going to see the fighters, K.O-ing Speed again? Discussions with Gabbi, the story of his being attacked while young, his ability to Duck?
5. Gabbi and his worry, Anne and their relationship for 15 years, Speed and Spider, the attack, his nerves, listening to Burleigh, his plan, persuading Burleigh to sign the contract, his campaign?
6. Burleigh and Agnes, getting the doctor, meeting Polly, at the barber's shop? His training, Anne teaching him how to dance and punch? Ducking? The fights, his fear, avoiding them, persuaded to fight, winning? The collage of his victories? His triumph and his change of personality? Teaching the society lady to duck? Polly telling him the truth about himself? Agnes?
7. Spider, tough, training, the fall-guy?
8. The build-up to the finale, contracts, radio and their all listening, the fight, the win? A happy ending for a11? 1920s silent comedy tradition into sound?
