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The Freshman

Directed by Fred C. Newmeyer and Sam Taylor

The Sin of Harold Diddlebock

Directed by Preston Sturges
Live Musical Accompaniment
Screening on Film
  • The Freshman

    Directed by Fred C. Newmeyer and Sam Taylor.
    With Harold Lloyd, Jobyna Ralston, Brooks Benedict.
    US, 1925, 35mm, black & white, silent, 76 min.
    Print source: HFA

Harold Lloyd plays a college freshman who dreams of success on the gridiron despite being the butt of many a practical joke on campus. When his tryouts fail, he is relegated to the position of water boy. But when the big game comes, Harold gets his chance for glory. This satire of collegiate life and football mania was Lloyd's biggest box-office success.

  • The Sin of Harold Diddlebock (AKA Mad Wednesday)

    Directed by Preston Sturges.
    With Harold Lloyd, Jimmy Conlin, Raymond Walburn.
    US, 1947, 35mm, black & white, 89 min.

Twenty-two years after The Freshman, Harold has settled into a quiet desk job. But when he gets his first taste of a potent cocktail, he breaks out of his daily rut with hilarious results. Lloyd teamed up with screen wit Sturges for his final film, which features some outrageous visual gags. Producer Howard Hughes was not amused, and proceeded to re-cut the film and release it under a new title.

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Rosine Mbakam, 2025 McMillan-Stewart Fellow