Before Harold Lloyd created and refined his everyman character that made him world famous in the 1920s, he went through a variety of styles. His 'Lonesome Luke' was weird looking and obnoxious...and not particularly likable. Later, he began using the everyman look...though he didn't act as sweet and likable. "Pinched" is one of these films, as the guy looks like the Lloyd we all love but he isn't quite the same guy...yet. But it IS funny...funnier than most of his 1910s films.
Early in the story, Lloyd gets robbed and is mistaken by the cop as the robber and not the victim. Such things seem to happen again and again as cop after cop seem to think he's a crook when he really didn't do anything that wrong. Ultimately, he's locked up....will he stay there by the end of the picture?
The most interesting thing in the film was seeing Lloyd's usual co-star of the era, Snub Pollard, without his usual painted on mustache. It's hard to recognize that it's him at first.
As far as the comedy goes, it's a mixed bag. It does have laugh after laugh BUT some of the humor is unsophisticated and primative...full of mindless slapstick that was so popular in the 1910s but which was pretty much out of style in the 1920s. While not great...the film is agreeable and enjoyable.
