This movie isn't exactly a typical "short" because it lasts 35 minutes--a little longer than the typical short comedies of the day (which were about 20-25 minutes). I think the added time worked out quite well, as this is a very good and watchable Lloyd picture.
Harold is a working stiff who dreams of entering high society. A scum-bag rich guy invites Harold to a fancy weekend party provided he agrees to pretend to be some British gentlemen. That's because the lady throwing the party and their guests are all frightful snobs and bringing a Lord to the party will get this rich jerk in the good graces of the host. That's because he wants to marry the lady's sweet daughter (Mildred Davis--soon to become the real-life Mrs. Lloyd).
Harold is able to convince them he is this Lord and they ask him to regale them with stories of his hunting adventures. Harold's stories are silly and are shown as flashbacks. These are about the funniest moments of the film and are indeed very funny. Unfortunately, in reality he knows nothing about hunting or riding and makes a mess of the fox hunt the next day--by losing his horse as well as his pants! This isn't so bad, though, as by now the host's husband has become sick and tired of the snobbish friends and he throws everyone out of the house. Before he can do this to Harold, though, Harold tells him the truth--that he's just an ordinary guy. Daddy is thrilled by this and gives his blessing for Harold to date Mildred. Fade out.
The film, due to its slightly longer length, is definitely less gag-oriented and more plot driven. For most of Lloyd's work, this is a definite plus--resulting in richer textured and more fulfilling work.
Harold is a working stiff who dreams of entering high society. A scum-bag rich guy invites Harold to a fancy weekend party provided he agrees to pretend to be some British gentlemen. That's because the lady throwing the party and their guests are all frightful snobs and bringing a Lord to the party will get this rich jerk in the good graces of the host. That's because he wants to marry the lady's sweet daughter (Mildred Davis--soon to become the real-life Mrs. Lloyd).
Harold is able to convince them he is this Lord and they ask him to regale them with stories of his hunting adventures. Harold's stories are silly and are shown as flashbacks. These are about the funniest moments of the film and are indeed very funny. Unfortunately, in reality he knows nothing about hunting or riding and makes a mess of the fox hunt the next day--by losing his horse as well as his pants! This isn't so bad, though, as by now the host's husband has become sick and tired of the snobbish friends and he throws everyone out of the house. Before he can do this to Harold, though, Harold tells him the truth--that he's just an ordinary guy. Daddy is thrilled by this and gives his blessing for Harold to date Mildred. Fade out.
The film, due to its slightly longer length, is definitely less gag-oriented and more plot driven. For most of Lloyd's work, this is a definite plus--resulting in richer textured and more fulfilling work.