Why Worry? (1923)

Why Worry? (1923)

“You boys will have to stop this fighting — it’s bad for my heart.”

Synopsis:
A wealthy hypochondriac (Harold Lloyd) and his nurse (Jobyna Ralston) arrive on a supposedly peaceful South American island which has just been taken over by revolutionaries. When Lloyd befriends an imprisoned giant (John Aasen) by helping him get rid of an aching tooth, he acquires an instant bodyguard and loyal servant.

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

  • Comedy
  • Harold Lloyd Films
  • Revolutionaries
  • Silent Films
  • South and Central America

Review:
Peary lists no less then nine films by bespectacled comedian Harold Lloyd in his GFTFF, including the two generally acknowledged as his best: Safety Last! (1923) and The Freshman (1925). Unfortunately, while Why Worry? is technically solid (Lloyd, as always, did his own stuntwork here), the silly storyline is repetitive and ultimately one-note in its lack of character arc or narrative complexity — indeed, the scenario seems much better suited for a comedic short than a full-length film. Not must-see unless you’re a diehard fan of Lloyd or of slapstick comedy in general.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

  • A few clever situational moments

Must See?
No. Listed as a film with Historical Relevance and a Personal Recommendation in the back of Peary’s book.

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One thought on “Why Worry? (1923)

  1. First viewing. Not must-see. One of Lloyd’s lesser films – and, yes, with a noticeable emphasis on slapstick, and physical violence in general. I’ve never been a big fan of the ‘It’s Always Funny When Someone Gets Hurt’ School of Comedy. A lot of that kind of humor (esp. in silents) hasn’t aged well.

    Most of the film is on the uninspired side – outside of general raucousness. But Lloyd and his gang do get inventive in the last 10 minutes for a better finish, so at least it ends well.

    At one point, I wondered if Woody Allen had seen this film prior to making ‘Bananas’ (which also has a main comic character going to South American land on the verge of revolution).

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