This daring stunt not only captivated audiences but also turned the film into a massive hit, securing Lloyd’s place as one of the biggest stars of early Hollywood. Decades later, Safety Last! continues to shine at film revivals, celebrated as one of the greatest comedies of its era. The title is a playful twist on the popular saying “safety first,” a motto for workplace safety. Lloyd’s bravery behind the camera is just as impressive as on screen—despite losing two fingers in a film accident just four years earlier, he performed some of the heart-pounding stunts himself, cementing his status as a true daredevil of the silver screen. In 1994, Safety Last! was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”. It is one of many works from 1923 that notably entered the public domain in the United States in 2019, the first time any works had done so in 20 years. Harold Lloyd’s iconic scene, where he dangles from a giant clock on the side of a building, became one of the most defining images of his career. Interestingly, this memorable moment was partially improvised during filming. While Lloyd performed most of his own stunts, certain scenes required the help of a stunt double. For instance, when the character hangs by a rope, a circus performer stepped in, and in wider shots, steeplejack Bill Strother, who also played “Limpy” Bill, acted as Lloyd’s double. Strother had originally inspired the sequence when Lloyd spotted him climbing a building, leading to the idea for the famous clock stunt. This unforgettable scene was shot on the roof of the Western Costume Company. To create the illusion of Lloyd ascending ever higher, multiple buildings from 1st to 9th Street in downtown Los Angeles were used, each of varying heights. Special sets were constructed on their rooftops to replicate the façade of the International Bank Building at Temple and Spring Streets, giving the appearance of a continuous climb. Although eagle-eyed viewers may notice slight differences in the streetscapes behind Lloyd at various points in the sequence, the effect was nonetheless groundbreaking for its time.
(Photo credit: imDB / Enhanced by RHP). Notify me of new posts by email.
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