By 1918, Harold Lloyd's comedies were making enough money that Hal Roach decided to branch out. He hired Toto, a successful stage comic from the New York Hippodrome for marquee value and a second series. However, Toto never adapted to movie work -- his contract included a stipulation that he would never have to jump into water -- and he was taking home as much as Lloyd and Roach together. Neither comic was pleased. When Toto reneged on his contract, Roach hired Stan Laurel to fill out the run of movies and started paying Lloyd more.
Not many of Toto's films survive, and only one in good condition. This one seems to have its final few minutes missing. What survives shows Toto as a fine slapstick comedian; he does one particular neck roll that had the audience gasping.
As for the story, Toto is a beat cop in a terribly fitting uniform who spots Bud Jamison breaking into a house and pursues him. The Roach studio would not become the powerhouse of character-based gags it would be later, but the physical humor of this one is excellent.
Not many of Toto's films survive, and only one in good condition. This one seems to have its final few minutes missing. What survives shows Toto as a fine slapstick comedian; he does one particular neck roll that had the audience gasping.
As for the story, Toto is a beat cop in a terribly fitting uniform who spots Bud Jamison breaking into a house and pursues him. The Roach studio would not become the powerhouse of character-based gags it would be later, but the physical humor of this one is excellent.
