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Next Aisle Over (1919)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Nice silent one-reeler about a man (Harold Lloyd) who takes a job inside a department store because he finds one of the workers (Bebe Daniels) to be cute. Before long he's not only trying to sale shoes but he also has to deal with some kidnappers. NEXT AISLE OVER is another decent short from this part of Lloyd's career where slapstick was certainly his thing. This film here clocks in at just under 10-minutes and while it's certainly not a classic there are enough funny parts to make it worth watching. One of the best sequences deals with 'Snub' Pollard carrying a large number of items for his wife and being unable to get into a swinging door. Another funny sequence deals with Lloyd trying to put shoes on the sock-less man. Once the kidnapping scheme comes into play we're given a terrific sequence where Lloyd, in the window like a mannequin, starts hitting up on the three kidnappers who keep thinking one of their own is doing it. Lloyd is once again flawless in the role as his comic timing is really on the mark. Daniels is her sweet self as usual and Pollard is very funny in his scenes. Several of the Rolin Films troop are on hand here.

The rimmed glasses character is fully realized in this film because Harold Lloyd brings out his nuances. He possesses an essence that the Lonesome Luke personality lacked, and demonstrates that he could bring something to comedy without imitating Chaplin's persona.

Harold Lloyd at this best is extremely funny. But in this short, the comic elements are mostly silly.

He takes a job selling shoes in a department store so he can be near an attractive woman (Bebe Daniels). Most of what follows never rises to the level of his best work. The physical stunts are moderately challenging and moderately funny. The degree of invention in his stunts, likewise, is mostly average.

He does stretch the bounds of reality by revealing that the main window in the store has no glass. Later he builds on that premise and tricks a gang of ruffians with a routine that takes perfect timing.

The Harold Lloyd films of the 1920s were works of art. While laughs were important, Lloyd's style changed a lot from his roughhouse 1910s pictures. Instead of relying on slapstick, they were much more plot-driven and very sweet...and you really liked the characters he played. "Next Aisle Over" is an example of Lloyd in his middle phase of his comedy. In other words, while the character LOOKED like the sweet bespectacled man of the 20s, he acted much like his earlier, jerky characters. Much of the time, you really have no understanding WHY he wacted the way he did....but you know you don't like the guy!

The film begins with a revolving door bit that is mildly funny...but you notice right away how mean Lloyd is in this one as he torments a little guy for no apparent reason. Then, he enters the department store and begins flirting with his girlfriend. When the boss arrives, Harold inexplicably slaps him around and causes a minor riot! Then, you realize he works there and the job shows him throwing things at customers, slapping them and being slapped by them. All in all, practically no plot, few laughs and a nasty, unlikable leading man. I see little to recommend in this one.