Billy Blazes confronts Crooked Charley, who has been ruling the town of Peaceful Vale through fear and violence.
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I thought this film might have been made at the same time as Lloyd's The Eastern Westerner, but apparently the films were made a few years apart. This film is ultra-short, lasting a little over twelve minutes (although perhaps a section is missing). The sets for both films certainly look very similar. Lloyd also performs the same cigarette-rolling trick here (twice) that he used in the later film.This is pretty frantic stuff. Bebe Daniels plays the daughter of an old boy threatened with eviction by his bullying landlord (although an intertitle suggests he owes eleven years in back rent which suggests he's actually one of the most patient landlords you're ever likely to meet). Daniels is a pretty girl with a saucy smile and sturdy knees, and it's no wonder Lloyd goes out of his way to rescue her. Compared to Lloyd's later output this is pretty primitive stuff, but it still manages to pack a good number of laughs into its brief running time.
Hrold Lloyd is the fearless gunslinger Billy Blazes.His job is to safe the town of Peaceful Vale from Crooked Charley who has been ruling it through fear and violence.There's not too much help of the yellow sheriff 'Gun Shy' Gallagher.The tavern keeper Pierre is ran out of town by Charley.He takes his pretty daughter Nell as his prisoner.So it's not only the town Billy has to safe.Hal Roach' Billy Blazes, Esq.(1919) is 13 minutes of fun and gags.Harold Lloyd makes a surprisingly believable western hero in this comedy.Bebe Daniels is a terrific western girl.It would be just right if Harold got the girl in the end.But does he? Watch the movie and find out.You also get to see another great silent comedian, Harry 'Snub' Pollard playing the Sheriff.He's very funny as this character who's afraid of gun shots and crooks.This group offers you some some good laughs.
This one reel comedy is a pretty good parody of the westerns of its time. It's nothing fancy, but it takes a light, upbeat approach and has some funny gag ideas. Harold Lloyd and Bebe Daniels always seem to work together well, and Snub Pollard is also here, in a smaller role.Lloyd plays the title character, who is a parody of the kinds of western heroes common both at the time and in many other eras. The character is probably based more than anything on the kinds of characters played by William S. Hart, but you wouldn't have to be familiar with Hart's movies to be able to enjoy most of "Billy Blazes".The story squeezes quite an assortment of familiar western elements and themes into 13 minutes or so of film, and it does a good job with most of them. The big showdown between Billy and the villain is played strictly for laughs, and it features some clever turns.
A HAROLD LLOYD Comedy One-Reeler.When the local outlaws in Peaceful Vale become too rambunctious, it's up to BILLY BLAZES, ESQ. to gallop into town and restore law & order.Harold gets to spoof William S. Hart in this very short & funny film. The various ways in which he subdues the bad guys & makes his getaway is the focus of attention here. The very tall Chinese waiter is also quite humorous. Bebe Daniels plays the Girl in the tavern; Snub Pollard portrays the cowardly Sheriff.Movie mavens will note that this short film was produced shortly before Harold lost half of his right hand in a freak studio accident.Robert Israel has composed an excellent film score which perfectly complements Harold's antics on the screen.