16mm Harold Lloyd THE CAT ' S PAW Feature " Buy This Friggin ' Print " - Ling Po
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:48144087 | Film Format: 16mm |
| Sub-Genre: political satire | Genre: Comedy |
THE CAT'S PAW. (1934)
Starring Harold Lloyd
Synopsis by Hal Erickson courtesy all movie.com
Harold Lloyd plays Ezekial Cobb, a missionary's son who has spent his entire life in China. Cobb is sent to his father's home church in California, where it is hoped he will find a wife. A true babe in the woods, Cobb is befriended by politician Jake Mayo (George Barbier). Mayo is a cog in a crooked political machine whose bosses plan to set up a "reform" candidate for mayor, so ...that they can continue their underhanded activities unmolested.
The candidate drops dead, so Mayo sets up the innocent Cobb as the mayor-to-be--a "cat's paw" to deflect attention from the system's corruption. But once elected, Cobb takes his duties quite seriously and begins to clean up the town. The machine frames Cobb with planted evidence of wrongdoing, destroying the lad's political career.
Undaunted, Cobb remembers the story of an ancient Chinese leader, who, similarly disgraced, took the law in his own hands and executed all known criminals in his last days of power. Cobb orders that every crook in town be rounded up and brought to a dark cellar. He insists that they confess their crimes or face instant death--and backs up his words by "beheading" two of the crooks on the spot!
Actually, these executions are cleverly designed magical illusions, and no one is really killed; but the terrified criminals are so hoodwinked by Cobb's apparent cold-bloodedness that they literally climb over one another to confess. Cobb is exonerated, and honesty is restored to his administration. While not Harold Lloyd's best feature film, The Cat's Paw is definitely his most unorthodox.
REVIEW "A still-potent political comedy" by kep3159 courtesy I.m.d.b.
Before Frank Capra's socially-aware comedy-dramas such as "It's a Wonderful Life, " "Mr. Deeds Goes to Washington" and (my favorite) "Meet John Doe" there was "The Cat's Paw." In fact, "The Cat's Paw" and "Meet John Doe" share a similar plot: Corrupt politicians in a pickle find a sap to run for office so that they can use him for their own purposes.
In this case, Harold Lloyd plays a naive missionary just returned from China to his hometown of Stockport. Lloyd's character, Ezekiel Cobb, had planned on catching up with a friend of his, the Rev. Julius P. Withers, who dies unexpectedly. Withers had been running for mayor as the token losing opposition against the long-corrupt incumbent. His planned loss would've insured Withers' party (THE REFORM PARTY, no less! Talk about cynicism!) would continue to be paid off through the mayor's graft. Wouldn't you know it, just as the Reformers are looking for some sap to take Withers' place, in walks Ezekiel. Naturally, Ezekiel wins instead of losing, and turns idealistic political reformer -- much to the dismay of all the town's corrupt politicians and criminal class. Ezekiel's solution to halting the political corruption is both surprising and hilarious.
I found this film on TCM and, much to my surprise, not only kept watching it, but kept laughing -- all the way through. Great performances by Lloyd, transforming from unsophisticated (he doesn't even know how to use a phone!), Chinese-proverb quoting straight-arrow to incorruptible populist mayor; Una Merkle as the tough-girl love interest who convinces Ezekiel to do what's right through canny reverse psychology; and George Barbier as the initially-corrupt Reform Party boss, who comes around to Ezekiel's way of thinking. Also, lots of familiar character-actor faces whom you can't identify though you know you've seen them before.
This film is well worth seeking out. It's a forgotten classic!
ABOUT THE PRINT- Before you get excited abut this rare feature, there are some issues to be disclosed. This is a very old TV version which is shorter than the original. It runs about 80 minutes. This print itself is an old used original with lines that come and go and occasional splicey segments then, clean stretches with no splices or lines. Any print of this feature is very scarce so be aware that this is a quite watchable print but there are occasional splices and thin, dark wear lines (but no amount of serious or bothersome emulsion scratches). ALSO- the very last scene where Lloyd proposes to his girl ends abruptly with a replaced "End" title.
16mm / b&w / Sound / runs about 80 minutes / no V.S.
About PRICES & SHIPPING - you can save on shipping charges with media mail rate. Don't pay any attention to bay's stupid posting of "delivery in 4 days". I OFFER SHIPPING in one to four days. What the post office does with it is not in my control. Ebay still hasn't figured it out yet! If you do local pick up, don't use the "pay now" function and let me invoice you minus any shipping costs. Also, I don't ship until ebay pays ME first. Their "managed payment" scam may just cost you, the buyer some extra waiting time. Don't blame me. Thanks to eBay's ruthless price-gouging on shipping which they have no part in other than xxmping this "sur tax" on sellers, I am forced to adjust my selling and shipping policies accordingly. So both you (the buyer ) and I, (the seller, who pays ebay their salaries via commissions must subsidize their greed. It's the only wheel in town, friends.
Starring Harold Lloyd
Synopsis by Hal Erickson courtesy all movie.com
Harold Lloyd plays Ezekial Cobb, a missionary's son who has spent his entire life in China. Cobb is sent to his father's home church in California, where it is hoped he will find a wife. A true babe in the woods, Cobb is befriended by politician Jake Mayo (George Barbier). Mayo is a cog in a crooked political machine whose bosses plan to set up a "reform" candidate for mayor, so ...that they can continue their underhanded activities unmolested.
The candidate drops dead, so Mayo sets up the innocent Cobb as the mayor-to-be--a "cat's paw" to deflect attention from the system's corruption. But once elected, Cobb takes his duties quite seriously and begins to clean up the town. The machine frames Cobb with planted evidence of wrongdoing, destroying the lad's political career.
Undaunted, Cobb remembers the story of an ancient Chinese leader, who, similarly disgraced, took the law in his own hands and executed all known criminals in his last days of power. Cobb orders that every crook in town be rounded up and brought to a dark cellar. He insists that they confess their crimes or face instant death--and backs up his words by "beheading" two of the crooks on the spot!
Actually, these executions are cleverly designed magical illusions, and no one is really killed; but the terrified criminals are so hoodwinked by Cobb's apparent cold-bloodedness that they literally climb over one another to confess. Cobb is exonerated, and honesty is restored to his administration. While not Harold Lloyd's best feature film, The Cat's Paw is definitely his most unorthodox.
REVIEW "A still-potent political comedy" by kep3159 courtesy I.m.d.b.
Before Frank Capra's socially-aware comedy-dramas such as "It's a Wonderful Life, " "Mr. Deeds Goes to Washington" and (my favorite) "Meet John Doe" there was "The Cat's Paw." In fact, "The Cat's Paw" and "Meet John Doe" share a similar plot: Corrupt politicians in a pickle find a sap to run for office so that they can use him for their own purposes.
In this case, Harold Lloyd plays a naive missionary just returned from China to his hometown of Stockport. Lloyd's character, Ezekiel Cobb, had planned on catching up with a friend of his, the Rev. Julius P. Withers, who dies unexpectedly. Withers had been running for mayor as the token losing opposition against the long-corrupt incumbent. His planned loss would've insured Withers' party (THE REFORM PARTY, no less! Talk about cynicism!) would continue to be paid off through the mayor's graft. Wouldn't you know it, just as the Reformers are looking for some sap to take Withers' place, in walks Ezekiel. Naturally, Ezekiel wins instead of losing, and turns idealistic political reformer -- much to the dismay of all the town's corrupt politicians and criminal class. Ezekiel's solution to halting the political corruption is both surprising and hilarious.
I found this film on TCM and, much to my surprise, not only kept watching it, but kept laughing -- all the way through. Great performances by Lloyd, transforming from unsophisticated (he doesn't even know how to use a phone!), Chinese-proverb quoting straight-arrow to incorruptible populist mayor; Una Merkle as the tough-girl love interest who convinces Ezekiel to do what's right through canny reverse psychology; and George Barbier as the initially-corrupt Reform Party boss, who comes around to Ezekiel's way of thinking. Also, lots of familiar character-actor faces whom you can't identify though you know you've seen them before.
This film is well worth seeking out. It's a forgotten classic!
ABOUT THE PRINT- Before you get excited abut this rare feature, there are some issues to be disclosed. This is a very old TV version which is shorter than the original. It runs about 80 minutes. This print itself is an old used original with lines that come and go and occasional splicey segments then, clean stretches with no splices or lines. Any print of this feature is very scarce so be aware that this is a quite watchable print but there are occasional splices and thin, dark wear lines (but no amount of serious or bothersome emulsion scratches). ALSO- the very last scene where Lloyd proposes to his girl ends abruptly with a replaced "End" title.
16mm / b&w / Sound / runs about 80 minutes / no V.S.
About PRICES & SHIPPING - you can save on shipping charges with media mail rate. Don't pay any attention to bay's stupid posting of "delivery in 4 days". I OFFER SHIPPING in one to four days. What the post office does with it is not in my control. Ebay still hasn't figured it out yet! If you do local pick up, don't use the "pay now" function and let me invoice you minus any shipping costs. Also, I don't ship until ebay pays ME first. Their "managed payment" scam may just cost you, the buyer some extra waiting time. Don't blame me. Thanks to eBay's ruthless price-gouging on shipping which they have no part in other than xxmping this "sur tax" on sellers, I am forced to adjust my selling and shipping policies accordingly. So both you (the buyer ) and I, (the seller, who pays ebay their salaries via commissions must subsidize their greed. It's the only wheel in town, friends.
