WHEN one hears the name of Harold Lloyd one gets a mental picture of
achievement and success, but not everyone knows how the young comedian reached
the highest place in the screen comedy field. He was not born with a silver
spoon in his mouth, nor suddenly "discovered" and made famous
overnight.
He was born in Burchard, Neb., twenty-nine years ago. During his school
years he had a number of "side lines," such as selling popcorn,
paper routes, teaching dramatics, etc., not so much for amusement as in
order to help along family finances.
It was shortly after he left school that the family was again in pecuniary
difficulties and Lloyd was anxious to help. He thought of the movies and
went to Universal City to try to get work as an extra, for $5 a day seemed
very much money. After some difficulties he did secure work there.
On the Universal lot Lloyd met Hal E. Roach, and the two boys became
good friends, although their ambitions differed, Lloyd's being success as
a character actor, and Roach's, directing and producing.
While working on the Universal lot Lloyd was very happy, but after a
few months the company decided to lower extra wages to $3 a day. This disgusted
Harold and he left. Coming to the Oz company, which was producing "The
Wizard of Oz" stories, he again met Roach. Roach had just come into
an inheritance and was able to realize his ambition of being producer. Lloyd
was engaged at $50 per week and felt very lucky.
This was a number of years ago. Harold Lloyd made a number of one-reel
comedies; then two-reelers, and later four, five and six-reel features.
His latest effort, "Safety Last" is in seven reels. |