Watch His First Flame

His First Flame is a silent comedy film released in 1927 starring Harry Langdon and Natalie Kingston. Directed by Harry Edwards, the film starts with Harry Burns (Langdon), a shy, bumbling man who lives with his overbearing mother in a small town. He works as a clerk in a sporting goods store, and his life is rather dull, with nothing exciting ever happening to him.

One day, Harry spots a beautiful woman named Florrie (Kingston) walking down the street, and he immediately falls in love with her. Not knowing how to approach her, Harry attempts to impress Florrie by performing various stunts, including balancing on a ladder and jumping over a fence, all of which end in disaster.

Florrie works as a lingerie model, and Harry's boss convinces him to buy a ticket to a lingerie show featuring Florrie as a model, in the hopes that he can meet her there. Harry attends the show, sitting in the front row, and eagerly awaits Florrie's appearance. However, when she finally appears, Harry's clumsy attempts to woo her make her think he is a pervert, and she ends up slapping him.

Determined to win Florrie's heart, Harry tries to follow her home, but he ends up getting lost and wandering into a nursing home instead. There, he accidentally sets the building on fire and is arrested for arson. Meanwhile, Florrie has been kidnapped by a group of gangsters, who are holding her for ransom.

Harry escapes from jail by disguising himself as a nurse, and he sets out to rescue Florrie from the gangsters. Along the way, he foils a bank robbery and saves an old man from drowning, earning him the admiration of the townspeople. Finally, Harry confronts the gangsters and saves Florrie, and the two of them escape on a motorcycle.

Despite its age, His First Flame still manages to elicit laughter from viewers today. Harry Langdon's performance as the socially awkward and clumsy Harry Burns is endearing, and his antics are sure to keep audiences entertained. Natalie Kingston is equally charming as Florrie, and the chemistry between the two actors is palpable.

One of the film's strengths is its physical comedy. Langdon's talent for slapstick shines through in scenes such as when he sets the nursing home on fire or when he attempts to climb a ladder to impress Florrie. The film also features some impressive stunts, including a scene in which Harry jumps over a fence, clears a pool, and lands on a diving board.

The film's plot is somewhat convoluted, with Harry getting involved in various misadventures that seem to have little to do with his pursuit of Florrie. However, the various subplots do come together in the end, and the film's climactic chase scene is both thrilling and hilarious.

Despite its comedic elements, His First Flame also touches on some social issues of the time. The film features themes of poverty, crime, and the need for social reform, as Harry's adventures take him through various sectors of society, from nursing homes to banks to seedy underworlds.

Overall, His First Flame is a delightful vintage comedy that is sure to appeal to fans of slapstick and physical humor. Harry Langdon's lovable portrayal of the hapless Harry Burns and the film's clever mix of comedy and social commentary make it a must-see for fans of classic cinema.