Trivia

Included among the American Film Institute's 2000 list of the 500 movies nominated for the Top 100 Funniest American Movies.

The print viewed for this entry was a video presentation by Thames Television, in which Gertrude Astor, known as "Gold Tooth" in contemporary reviews, is called "Lily," and Robert McKim, called "Roy McDevitt" in the same reviews, is called "Mike McDevitt." Modern sources indicate that even in contemporary prints there are discrepancies in these character names, and so "Gold Tooth" was also called "Lily of Broadway," and "Parson Brown" was also called "Holy Joe." Modern sources list two additional adaptors, Tay Garnett and James Langdon, and an additional titles writer, Reed Heustis. Modern sources also list cast members Brooks Benedict ("Bus passenger") and Tay Garnett. The Strong Man was the first of two films starring Harry Langdon that Frank Capra directed. Modern sources indicate Capra previously co-directed Langdon in Tramp, Tramp, Tramp (1926, see entry), for which he also co-wrote the story, but he did not receive credit in any capacity. The Strong Man was referred to by its working title, The Yes Man, in a 9 Mar 1926 FD item, which announced that Langdon would star in the film for First National Pictures, Inc. The 23 Apr 1926 Film Mercury listed Harry Langdon's brother, James Langdon, as a "comedy constructor," but he did not receive a writing credit for his contribution. The 24 Apr 1926 Exhibitors Herald, which erroneously credited Harry Langdon as director, reported that principal photography began that week at the United Artists studio lot in Hollywood, CA, since the east coast-based First National had yet to open its west coast studios in Burbank, CA. One month later, the 23 Jun 1926 Var announced that Priscilla Bonner had been cast as the female lead, and would soon begin filming. Production was expected to be completed in Jul 1926, with a theatrical release planned for Sep 1926. On 11 Jul 1926, FD announced the new title as The Strong Man. Just over one month later, the 16 Aug 1926 issue stated that filming was completed. The 22 Aug 1926 FD listed a 17 Sep 1926 release date. However, the picture opened the week of 5 Sep 1926 in New York City at the Mark Strand Theatre, according to the 8 Sep 1926 Var review. Both Var and the 12 Sep 1926 FD review praised the comedy, with FD noting that The Strong Man "delivers laugh upon laugh," and deeming the film a "knockout." According to modern sources, when the film was released in New York, First National placed a forty-foot tall neon sign over the marquis which showed Langdon lifting a barbell. The picture, which marked Capra's first feature film directing credit, went on to become an enormous critical and financial success, as noted in contemporary news items and reviews. Modern sources state that "Zandow's" vaudeville act was based on the act of a real vaudeville star, Eugene Sandow. The gag in which Langdon holds "Gold Tooth" on his lap, scoots up the stairs backwards and then falls over a ladder was repeated in Capra's 1959 film A Hole in the Head (American Film Institute Catalog)