Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Table of contents
The Freshman is a silent comedy film produced by Harold Lloyd and directed by Fred C. Newmeyer and Sam Taylor. The screenplay was written by John Grey, Sam Taylor, Tim Whelan, and Ted Wilde.
Plot
Harold Lamb is a kind-hearted but naive man, full of enthusiasm for his upcoming freshman year at Tate University. He has saved a lot of money, has read many books about college life, and cannot wait to experience it for himself.
Harold’s main goal is to become popular at the university, like his movie idol, The College Hero. To achieve this, he copies a little jig his idol does and borrows his nickname, “Speedy.”
The College Cad befriends him and makes him the joke of the university behind his back. Harold is led to believe he is the most popular guy, while the others secretly make fun of him.
The only genuine person Harold meets is Peggy. They first meet on the train on his way to the university, and he later finds out she is his landlady’s daughter. They are attracted to each other, and unlike everyone else, she seems to actually care for him.
Personally, I liked Harold as a character. He is eccentric and sometimes slow, but he is still adorable with a good heart. This quality is enough to make someone feel special without needing to imitate other people’s mannerisms to gain social approval.
The movie successfully combines slapstick comedy with a character-driven narrative. Unfortunately, it was not always funny. It tended to be awkward, especially in the first half. This is mostly due to the mean behavior of the people who are bullying Harold. I also found myself wondering how safe it could be to use a college student as a tackling dummy…
If we set this aspect aside, there were many humorous scenes. The little jig, the cat scene, the baby at the tailor, the ripped suit at the dance, and the final football act are all hilarious and, most importantly, memorable! Harold’s romance with Peggy is one of the most enchanting parts of the story. This romantic touch was essential!
Characters
Harold Lamb is a peculiar but innocent young man who eagerly anticipates going to college. He wishes to be the most popular guy and turns to his movie idol, The College Hero, for inspiration. He emulates his idol’s little jig and borrows the nickname “Speedy.” He sadly trusts The College Cad and believes him when he says Harold is the most popular guy on campus. At the same time, he is attracted to Peggy, the daughter of his landlady. By the end, Harold gets the character development he deserves.
The College Cad is the college bully. He is a popular football player who pretends to be Harold’s friend but mocks him behind his back.
Peggy is Harold’s romantic interest and the only authentic and benevolent person in the movie. At the beginning, she is described as “the kind of girl your mother must have been.”
There are some other supporting characters, such as Harold’s football coach and his fellow students, who also make fun of him behind his back. However, we do not learn about them on a personal level.
Acting
As a silent film, The Freshman places an automatic emphasis on body language.
Harold Lloyd was wonderful as Harold Lamb! His facial expressions and acting were exaggerated, as is typical in silent cinema. He did an excellent job embodying the naive everyman archetype.
Brooks Benedict was very convincing in the role of The College Cad, the villain.
Jobyna Ralston delivered a gentle performance as Peggy. Her acting, in contrast to Lloyd’s, is more subtle, suggesting the romantic undertones of the story.
Direction & Cinematography
Directors Fred C. Newmeyer and Sam Taylor use visual storytelling with a focus on timing and physical action, while intertitles are used sporadically. Slapstick stunts are included, such as when Harold is constantly tackled on the football field, highlighting the physical aspects of silent-era comedy. In general, the directors successfully blended comedy with the romantic subplot, giving special meaning to the protagonist’s quest for social approval.
In terms of cinematography, Walter Lundin uses wide shots for the physical gags and closer shots to capture reactions and emotions. The different settings, such as the dance hall, the campus, and the football field, help the viewer follow the story and structure the film on a visual level. The editing in the final act during the football game creates a sense of urgency and suspense about the outcome.
The End
Harold’s character evolves, and he finally gets his happy ending. All in all, watching The Freshman was a rewarding experience!
Details
- Rating Certificate: Not Rated
- Studios & Distributors: The Harold Lloyd Corporation
- Directors: Fred C. Newmeyer | Sam Taylor
- Written By: Sam Taylor | Ted Wilde | John Grey
- Country: United States
- Language: English
- Run Time: 77 Mins.
- Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
- Original Release Date: 20 September 2025