Three's a Crowd

Contrary to many nay-sayers, and that includes quite a few noted film historians, "Three's A Crowd", Harry Langdon's first directorial effort, is a hidden masterpiece. Now in full control of his screen character, Langdon attempts to take it in a new direction in this stunningly-photographed (kudos to Frank Evans and Elgin Lessley), UFA-like tragicomedy about loneliness and desperation (indeed, at times it looks as if it could have been filmed in Germany).

Unfourtunately, the public was not ready to accept Langdon at this level, and left him hanging. It can be safe to assume that had Langdon made his cinematic debut in "Three's A Crowd", he would have moved ahead of Lloyd in his place among "Comedy's Big Four", possibly as co-equal with Keaton.

So, whether you are a Langdon buff or not, "Three's A Crowd" should be watched on its own merits. At the same time, it stands as a sad harbinger of what could have been.