Academy exhibits Harold Lloyd stills

Aug 22, 2006 by Ian Evans

110 rarely seen images of comedy legend Harold Llloyd will be part of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ new exhibition, “Out on a Ledge: Photographs of a Comic Genius, from the Harold Lloyd Collection,” opening on Friday, September 15, in the Academy’s Grand Lobby Gallery in Beverly Hills.

The exhibit will present stills from 41 Lloyd films, including A Sailor-Made Man (1921), Dr. Jack (1922), Why Worry? (1923), Girl Shy (1924), The Freshman (1925), For Heaven’s Sake (1926), and Speedy (1928).

“This exhibition will showcase the magnitude of my grandfather’s work not only as a comedic genius, but also as an independent filmmaker and actor who advanced the notion that a comic lead could also be a romantic male lead,” said Suzanne Lloyd. “Most of these photographs have never been displayed publicly.”

Harold Lloyd made over 200 films betweeen 1912 and 1947. Performing his own stunts, the most famous image of Lloyd has him hanging from the hands of a clock tower.

“I believe these photographs will be a revelation to all who see them, giving unprecedented insight into the work of a true Hollywood legend and bonafide motion picture genius,” said “Out on a Ledge” curator Robert Cushman. Lloyd was also a founding member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Lloyd was awarded an Honorary Oscar in 1952 as a “master comedian and good citizen,” a tribute that recognized his charity efforts, particularly for the Shriners.

“Out on a Ledge: Photographs of a Comic Genius, from the Harold Lloyd Collection,” will be on display through Sunday, December 17, 2006. The Academy’s galleries are open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and weekends, noon to 6 p.m. Admission is free. The Academy will be closed during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend — Thursday, November 23, through Sunday, November 26.