From The Times, April 4, 1923
Two films of unusual merit are being shown in London this week, one American and the other British. Rob Roy, a Gaumont production, the British film, is a romantic drama, and the American film, Grandma’s Boy, a comedy, and both in their own spheres are excellent.
Mr Harold Lloyd takes the principal part in Grandma’s Boy, and once again proves that he is one of the few comedians in the film world who can be humorous without being hilarious, and amusing without being violent. Mr Lloyd is a comedian of genius. He is one of the few comedians acting for films who eschews the use of that form of comedy which can best be described as “physical” humour. Instead of doing humorous things, he is himself humorous, and that is a great achievement for an actor who is denied the use of speech.
In this film he is called on to play the part of a congenital coward who is matched in his early years with a rival of a type described in the film as “treat ’em rough.” Eventually he is given a chance to prove his mettle, for while he is at a party (in a suit belonging to his grandfather, born 100 years before), he is urged to assist in the search for a ruffian who has terrified the whole village by his wicked exploits. He musters enough courage to join the others, and somehow gets separated from his friends with the result that, by a great miscarriage of justice, he captures the ruffian single-handed and brings him back to the village in triumph. Mr Lloyd does a great deal with a rather flimsy part.
Rob Roy, the Gaumont film, gives an excellent idea of the adventures of the chieftain, and Mr V Kellino, the producer, has made the most of the material at his disposal. The film is full of stirring adventures and combats, and all the parts in it are competently acted. There are also some excellent views of typical Scottish scenery.
Moran of the Lady Letty, a “Famous Lasky” film, is worth seeing if only because Mr Rudolph Valentino plays the leading part, and The Lotus Eater is similarly distinguished by the acting of Mr John Barrymore. The Colonel’s Orderly, a Walterdaw production, is above the average, but Whispering Shadows, a Stoll film, is more pretentious than interesting.
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